21 houses of Dalit families set on fire in Bihar's Nawada; land dispute suspected

Initial investigation revealed that the incident occurred over the land dispute issue. Villagers said that many rounds of firing also took place by the alleged land mafia

Amid the land survey, a Dalit Tola (hamlet) was attacked Wednesday (September 18, 2024) night, and at least 21 houses were set on fire by the alleged land mafia at Krishna Nagar village under Mufassil Police station in Bihar’s Nawada district.

Initial investigation revealed that the incident occurred over the land dispute issue. Villagers said that many rounds of firing also took place by the alleged land mafia who were more than a dozen in number.

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Panic has struck those living in the village and the police are conducting raids to nab the culprits. So far, 11 people have been arrested by the police. Heavy deployment of the police force has been done in the area and senior police officers are camping in the village.

While speaking to the media, Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman said, “We got the information that around 7:15 p.m. a few houses have been burnt. Initially, there was a claim that around 40 to 50 houses were gutted but after the survey by the police we found that the houses of 21 families have been burnt by the miscreants. We will find if there are any extended family members whose house has been burnt. So far, there is no report of any casualty. We have arrested the main accused, and 10 others have also been arrested.”

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Till last night, 11 people were arrested including the main accused Nandu Paswan and this morning four more people have been arrested. Police has also found three country made pistols and few empty cartridges

Asked about the cause of the fire, Mr. Dhiman further said, “There was a title dispute going on between two sides. The people who set the house on fire claimed that it was their land on which these people were settled. Seeing the present condition, we have deployed a magistrate and force for the safety of the villagers. They will stay here for the next three to four days for confidence building among the villagers.”

Most of the people living in this village are from Manjhi community and those who have burnt the house are from Paswan community. Both are Dalit groups. The main accused is Nandu Paswan who has been arrested. The land on which the Manjhi community was settled is the government land.

Reacting to the incident, leader of opposition in Bihar legislative assembly and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav posted a message on social media platform X, blaming the Chief Minister.

“There is Maha Jungleraj and Demon Raj. More than 100 houses of Dalits were set on fire in Nawada. There is fire all over Bihar under the rule of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is least bothered. NDA allies are unaware! They do not care, let the poor burn and die. Atrocities on Dalits will not be tolerated,” Mr. Yadav wrote in the post on Thursday.

Scheduled Caste and Tribe Welfare Department minister Janak Ram said that the accused will be punished.

“I have got the information about the Nawada incident in which the houses of Scheduled Caste people were set on fire by the goons. This is a sad incident. The government will definitely take strict action against the goons, whoever they are. In this NDA government under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the people of the weaker sections, Dalit and Mahadalit families are safe. The government will not spare anyone,” Mr. Ram said.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also demanded action against the incident by writing a post on social media platform X.

“Burning down the entire Mahadalit colony in Nawada and destroying the houses of more than 80 families is exposing the horrifying picture of injustice against the Bahujans in Bihar. The cries of these Dalit families who have lost their homes and property and the terror created in the deprived society by the echo of the fierce firing have not been able to wake up the sleeping government of Bihar, he said in a post in Hindi on X.

Published - September 19, 2024 09:17 am IST