Cracker-Like Explosion Near Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's 'Jan Samvad' in Nalanda; One Arrested

A minor explosion triggered by a cracker was reported from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ‘Jan Samvad’ at Silao in Nalanda. Police have arrested one person, identified as Subham Aditya, in this connection.  The explosion took place around 20 feet away from Nitish Kumar who was busy interacting with people. The explosive materials fell just 5 feet away from the CM, triggering panic.

The incident comes days after he was attacked by a man during an event at his home turf Bakhtiyarpur in Patna on March 27. The assailant, believed to be a mentally unstable local resident, was immediately arrested.

The chief minister on Tuesday travelled to Nalanda for the Jansabha, organised by the district administration at the Gandhi high school in Silao block.

“The accused was trying to greet Nitish Kumar but the chief minister moved away from him. Soon the explosion took place. We have recovered a cracker, a matchbox and a keyring from his possession. The accused is arrested now and interrogation is underway,” said an official of Silao police station.

An official of Nalanda police said that the accused is a native of Satyarganj village under Islampur police station.

Following the Bakhtiyarpur attack, the Bihar Police had prepared a blueprint to enhance the security of the chief minister. ADGP, Security, Bacchu Singh Meena had issued guidelines to every district magistrate and superintendent of police to make elaborate arrangements every time the chief minister visits their district.

As per the directive, the district administrations have to provide security as per the recommendation of the Verma committee of 1991, which had pointed out special security parameters in its report submitted to the central government.

Under this, the officers will be held accountable for any kind of security lapse during the visit of the chief minister. The officers would have to take appropriate security measures before the visit and ensure that unwanted people or strangers don’t come near the CM. Despite such a recommendation, a serious security breach occurred in Nalanda.

Reacting to the incident, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that it’s “worrying” to see such repeated lapses in Nitish Kumar’s security.

(With IANS inputs)

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