Ranvir Sena chief murder: BJP downplays reports of caste violence in Bihar

New Delhi -  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday downplayed reports of caste violence in Bihar following the killing of Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh alias `Mukhyia`.

The situation in Bihar's Arrah town is tense at the moment. As the news of the killing spread, hundreds of Sena supporters gathered at the site of the killing and shouted anti-government  slogans. Supporters of the Ranvir Sena have also set buses and offices on fire.

"I can understand that the supporters might be very angry. But the purpose should be that action in initiate against those guilty," said BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, when asked  whether the present situation in Arrah may lead to riots.

Naqvi further termed the incident to be very unfortunate, and called for peace and harmony to prevail in Bihar.

"See, I feel sad about the incident that has taken place. There is no place for incidents like these in a good society. I believe that the government will initiate action against those guilty. An  environment of peace and good faith should prevail," said Naqvi.

"No the opponents would not get any opportunity. We have said that it is a sad incident. These types of untoward incidents do not hold any place in a decent society," he added, when asked  whether the incident has put pressure on the Nitish Kumar Government and given the opposition an opportunity to target the ruling party.

Massive violence broke out in Bihar's Arrah town today following the murder of Ranvir Sena chief.

The concerned authorities have deployed heavy police personnel to control the agitating crowd, who have gone on a rampage following Mukhiya's death. Extra police personnel have also

been called from outside to assist the local police deal with his untoward situation.

According to latest reports, curfew has been imposed in the town.

Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh Mukhiya was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Bihar's Bhojpur District on Friday morning.  Singh was on a morning walk near his house when

unidentified assailants shot him.

Mukhiya, who was earlier facing life imprisonment in various carnage cases, was acquitted and released from jail in April this year.

Ranvir Sena is a right-wing upper-caste landlord militia mainly based in Bihar, India. This group is thought to be formed by Bhumihar Brahmin landlords. It carries out actions against Dalits

and other members of the scheduled caste community as well as the Naxalites. The Ranvir Sena has been connected to many murders, rapes and thefts. It has, on several occasions, been

accused of human rights abuses. It is regarded as a terrorist group.

The Ranvir Sena has committed violent acts against Naxalite sympathisers and other members of the militant communist party. The Bihar Government banned the Ranvir Sena in July 1995

and since then the Ranvir Sena remains proscribed.