Communal tension in Bihar's Chhapra over objectionable video clip

It was posted on Facebook allegedly by an anti-social element showing deities of a particular community being desecrated

Communal tension gripped a Bihar town on Saturday over an objectionable video clip that was posted on social networking site Facebook, police said.

There were violent protests in Chhapra against the video by a particular community and security forces have been deployed to control the situation, police said.

According to police officials, a video clip was posted on Facebook allegedly by an anti-social element showing deities of a particular community being desecrated in Saran district on Friday.

"Some people violently protested against it, attacked some shops and set ablaze few and expressed their anger over it... but situation was under control on Friday. The district administration issued prohibitory orders under section 144 and suspended internet services for three days to curb further circulation of the video," a district official said.

Suddenly, fresh violent protests began on Saturday during a shutdown called by local organisations.

Violent clashes took place between two communities and when police tried to control the situation, they attacked police officials, he said.

Police said some shops were torched and ransacked by protesters on Saturday.

Sensing more trouble, police fired in the air to disperse the mob. No one was, however, injured in police firing.

Saran District Magistrate Dipak Anand said the situation is tense but under control.

"We have sought more security forces for deployment and keeping watch on the situation."