Inter-religious tension has erupted in India's Bihar state days after a dozen of houses belonging to 'Mahadalits' (extremely poor people) were set on blaze allegedly by an enraging mob of Muslims, officials said on Monday.
These 'Mahadalits' are reportedly from over 20 Scheduled Castes, and are extremely poor.
Speaking to Sputnik, a senior police official frp, Bihar's Purnia District said that since the incident took place in Majhwa Village on 19 May, the likelihood of more inter-religious violence has increased.
"We have increased the security across the district and are monitoring the situation closely. There are chances that Mahadalits will try and avenge the incident, he said.
In the violence, two people were killed; the mob also brutally attacked members of Mahadalits with sticks and sharp weapons, injuring several of them, including a pregnant woman. Following the incident, several people have left the village as well, police said.
Prima facie the incident appears to be a land grab bid by the dominant members of the Muslim community in the area, the police officer further revealed.
The Mahadalits have lived on the land for a long time, which they claimed belongs to the government. They were pressured by members of the Muslim community to vacate it and refused.
Police, meanwhile, have filed cases against over 100 people over the incident.
"We have registered three cases against seven identified and over 100 unidentified people in connection with the violence. So far two people have been arrested in the case, while teams are working to nab the others," he added.
On Sunday, a group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, led by its state treasurer, the party’s chief whip in the Bihar legislative council Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, visited Majhuwa village. They demanded the immediate arrest of everyone accused, a speedy trial, the provision of proper security to the accosted families, and that they receive adequate financial assistance from the state government.
The BJP is the coalition partner of the Janata Dal (United) party-led Bihar government.