HAZARIBAG: The army was Saturday put on standby in Hazaribag in the caste ridden Indian state of Bihar following mounting tension as the Hindu set up, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (world Hindu council), decided to take out a religious procession to mark the birthday of Hindu God ‘Rama’ on September 21.
Over 10 people had died in communal clashes last year in Hazaribag district when a religious procession was attacked by members of another community.
The border security force had staged a flag march and prohibitory orders were already in force in the entire area where the route of religious processions has been a bone of contention between Hindus and Muslims.
The VHP chief, Ashok Singhal, had announced the decision to take out the procession through the disputed route in village Mahudi under Barkagaon police station.
Sources said Paramilitary forces and army men were camping in the village.
The district administration has not allowed the procession to pass through the disputed route.
Permission to take the same route was not granted to a procession six months back as the authorities apprehended trouble in the district, which had witnessed riots in the immediate past.
So far 13 persons, including some VHP activists, have been arrested in the district on charges of fomenting trouble.
NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, a father of nine children, has been asked to adopt birth control measures, Textiles Minister Sharad Yadav announced in Parliament.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 21, 1990
