Normalcy returns to Chapra, elesewhere

Law and order was restored at Chapra in Bihar's Saran district and other strife-torn areas in the district today after yesterday's violence over an objectionable photo and video related to a particular religion which had gone viral, an official said.
"Life has returned to normal and the situation (law and order) is under absolute control," Saran District Magistrate Deepak Anand said in a statement.
There is no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in Saran district during the day, he said adding that the para-military forces carried out a flag march at Chapra town to keep the situation under control.

Promising strict action against the anti-social elements and those involved in large-scale violence and arson which rocked various places in the district yesterday, the district magistrate appealed to the people to ignore rumours and solicited support the district administration in maintaining law and order.
He said that the rumour-mongers were being identified for taking strict action.
He said that the police was patrolling at sensitive places with senior civil and police officials monitoring the situation in Chapra town.

Anand said that 25 persons were arrested in connection with the violence while two others had been nabbed earlier in connection with the objectionable photo and video circulation.

Altogether 18 FIRs have been registered, he says.
The DM said that two companies of State Rapid Action Force, one company of Central Rapid Action Force, two platoons of SSB, two platoons of ITBP, 500 police personnel with sticks besides personnel from the district police were deployed in the district as a precautionary measure.
The district administration had shut down internet service in the district as part of measures to restore peace.