‘Beginning of Manipur-like atrocities’: Opposition slams BJP, JDA after molestation of women in Bihar

New Delhi: A video showing a large mob allegedly marching and attacking a woman in Bihar’s Nalanda district went viral on social media on Tuesday, triggering a fierce political backlash. The opposition targeted the “breakdown” of law and order in the state, calling it “the beginning of Manipur-like atrocities”.The incident took place in Noor Sarai area a few days ago and the video came to light after it surfaced online.Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashvi Yadav Condemning the incident, terming it a “shameful incident in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home state”.“This was a case of attempted gang rape. Those who misbehaved with the woman tore off her clothes. The incident presents a horrific picture of the breakdown of law and order in Bihar,” he claimed.The RJD also slammed the JDU government on social media and posted: “Nitish Kumar’s so-called ‘good governance’ is at its peak!” The Congress party in Bihar stepped up its attack, drawing parallels to the Manipur incident in which two women were paraded naked through the streets by mobs, and said the Nalanda case reflected a similar pattern of atrocities.“Even before becoming the chief minister of the BJP, Nitish Kumar’s home district in Bihar started experiencing atrocities similar to those in Manipur!” said the party.The Congress party expressed similar concerns, saying “the woman was treated in an extremely disgusting manner. The mob publicly tore the woman’s clothes and shot a video, which then went viral.” “This incident is a stain on society and those responsible should receive the harshest punishment.” This incident shows that ‘jungle rule’ is fully prevalent in Bihar and women are not safe,” it added.The party stepped up its attacks, accusing the ruling coalition of harboring criminals. “The BJP-JD government has been providing protection to criminal elements who are now openly roaming the streets and committing such atrocities,” it added.The woman filed a complaint on March 26, following which the two accused, Ashok Yadav and Matlu Mahto, residents of Ajpur village, were arrested, police said. Efforts were underway to arrest others seen in the video, they added.