Twenty-one houses were set on fire in Bihar’s Nawada district near the Capital city Patna.  Preliminary investigation suggested that a land dispute could be the cause behind the incident that happened in Manjhi Tola in Mufassil police station area on Wednesday late evening.

Nawada District Magistrate Ashutosh Kumar Verma said the district police has arrested 15 people for allegedly torching the houses. Verma said approximately 21 houses, some of which were semi-pucca, were burned by a group in Manjhi Tola. He added that senior administrative and police officials on-site will provide a report detailing the exact number of damaged houses. A police officer said shots were also fired in the air when the houses were being torched. Investigations have revealed that out of a total of 34 houses that were set on fire, 21 were completely destroyed and 13 were damaged partially.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate further, and searches are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects. “We are providing relief materials, including food packets and drinking water, to those displaced. Temporary tents have been set up for the victims,” he noted. The DM refuted claims that cattle were charred, saying, “No evidence has been found to support that.”

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condemned the torching of 34 houses, mostly belonging to SC/ST communities, in Nawada district and asked the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to visit the site and oversee the probe.

Former Deputy CM of Bihar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, said in a social media post: “Respected, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji, houses of Dalits have been set on fire under your double engine government in Bihar. The PM must say a few words on this ‘Mangalraj’ as whatever is happening is all because of the will of almighty God and the NDA leaders have no control over this.”

BSP president Mayawati demanded strict action by the Bihar government. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also called for full financial support by the government for rehabilitation of the poor victims.

Congress too slammed the NDA government in Bihar over the incident of setting ablaze of houses in Nawada, saying it is another proof of the “jungle raj” prevailing in the state and shows the dispensation’s “utter indifference” towards Dalits and the deprived.

Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi condemned the torching of houses in Nawada district of Bihar, and said the state government is investigating the matter and culprits will not be spared. “This is a sad incident. It is condemnable and also shameful. I am in touch with the state government. First of all, it is necessary to ensure that those who have been affected should be rehabilitated and injured can be treated,” Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan told reporters on the sidelines of World Food India 2024 event.