A group of people allegedly attacked worshippers as they were leaving a mosque after prayers in Nowra village of Nawada district in the Indian state of Bihar. CCTV cameras installed on the mosque premises were also vandalized to cover up the incident on October 25. This information has emerged from complaints by residents and a police statement.
Residents allege that the mosque’s imam has been repeatedly harassed and threatened in the past. They claim that his bicycle was also stolen. They even allege that there was a threat to blow up the mosque with a bomb.
A resident told the media, “They threatened us, abused us. They said they would blow up this mosque with bombs and shoot us.”
Residents claim that some Hindus from a nearby village attacked the worshippers as they were leaving the mosque after prayers. It has been alleged that some local Hindus were also attacked for protesting the attack.
Residents said that the village has long had peaceful relations between Hindu and Muslim communities. They claimed that the people involved in the attack were from outside the village. A senior resident alleged that the local sarpanch was also threatened during the incident.
The resident said, “We were leaving the mosque after prayers. Then some Hindus from the neighboring village came and beat up the worshippers. They also threatened the local sarpanch. We live here in peace and harmony. We have never had any conflict with the local Hindus.”
Residents have demanded an impartial investigation into the incident, strict action against those responsible, and ensuring the safety of the mosque and worshippers.
Police are examining the case and CCTV footage
A press release issued by the Nawada Superintendent of Police’s office on October 28 said that the police received reports of a disturbance near the mosque around 4 am on October 25.
The notice said that it was alleged that some people got intoxicated and created chaos near the mosque, abused people, and beat up people who were returning home after prayers. CCTV cameras installed on the mosque premises were also vandalized during this time.
Upon receiving the information, the police reached the spot and inspected the area. Residents were questioned. In addition, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) examined the scene and collected evidence.
The police statement also said that examination of CCTV footage and speaking to residents revealed that some individuals had vandalized the mosque’s CCTV cameras two days before the alleged attack.
A case number 404/26 was filed with Nordiganj Police Station on October 26 in this incident. Police said that a detailed investigation is underway to uncover the true facts of the incident and examine its various aspects.
However, the police press release did not reveal the identities of the accused and did not provide any information on whether anyone has been arrested in the incident.
Police urge people not to spread rumors
In a press release, Nawada Police has urged the general public not to pay heed to rumors, misleading information, and unverified posts spread on social media. At the same time, while maintaining peace and law and order, people are requested to immediately inform the authorities if any suspicious information is found.
Police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing. However, the police statement did not specifically address the repeated harassment of the mosque’s imam and the threat to bomb the mosque.
Information about the incident was obtained based on complaints from residents and police statements. More details may emerge as the investigation progresses.
