There was a violent communal riot which erupted in Bihar’s Jehanabad town yesterday (11 October) in which one person, identified as Vishnu Kumar, was shot dead in the Jafarganj neibhourhood and 10 people were injured as mobs ransacked shops and vandalised property, reports The Times Of India.

The massive flare up of violence took place after an incident on Thursday (10 October) night when a group of individuals pelted stones at a Hindu procession which was carrying an idol of Goddess Durga for immersion near Panch Mohalla.

Police have now moved promptly to take control of the situation, and 50 persons believed to be connected with the violence have been taken into custody. As per Jahanabad Superintendent of Police Manish Kumar, internet services have been shut down in the whole town and more raids are being carried out to arrest the remaining suspects.

A large number of localities of the town were affected by the violence, including Gandhi Nagar, Jakarganj, Thakurbari, Mahalchak, Ambedkar Nagar and other areas. Initial estimates suggest that 15 shops were either set ablaze or damaged by mobs.

Local leaders and authorities have appealed to people to maintain calm and have called for both the central and state governments to help ensure peace in the area.

(With inputs from IANS)