Police found that provocative messages on Whatsapp groups provoked students to participate in the Agnipath protest in Bihar.
Ever since the Government of India introduced the Agnipath scheme on June 14, many states including Haryana, Punjab and Bihar witnessed protest against it. Bihar faced violent clashes and arson in several parts of the state against the newly launched scheme. Bettiah district of Bihar also faced massive violence and police investigation has now revealed that the youth was provoked through Whatsapp groups messages.
"The violence in Bettiah was well planned and the students were allegedly provoked through a Whatsapp group originating from Patna. There were some provocative messages that were uploaded on a Whatsapp group called "Future Fauji" on June 17," said a police officer of West Champaran district, as reported by India TV.
Bihar saw five days of violence against Agnipath Scheme
The protests lasted for five days from June 16 to 20 with massive violence in Bihar. Many trains were set on fire in various districts including Patna, Jehanabad, Bhojpur, West Champaran, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Nawada, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Supaul and other districts.
"The agitation would get successful only when we set the properties of government and BJP leaders on fire," reportedly said the Whatsapp message.
Provoked by the messages, the protesters have set the properties of state BJP President Sanjay Jaiswal, Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Lauriya BJP MLA Vinay Bihari on fire. The protesters also damaged the properties of BJP MLAs, Aruna Devi in Nawada and C.N. Singh in Chapra.
"The rumours were spread in Bihar through Whatsapp groups. The investigation is currently underway as several names have come up. We have arrested some accused and also identified many others who were involved in the arson. The raids are underway," said Upendra Nath Verma, Superintendent of Police, West Champaran.
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