Munger Lathi Charge & Police Firing: Man Killed, At least 20 Injured In Firing During Idol Immersion In Bihar Ahead Of Polling

An 18-year-old man was shot dead and some people were injured in firing after clashes during the immersion of Goddess Durga. The incident took place on October 26 in Bihar's Munger. A video showing a police lathi-charge on a group carrying a Durga idol has been widely circulated online. The police claim during the immersion of Durga idols, some anti-social elements" targeted the police and threw stones at them. Violence reportedly erupted following a row between volunteers taking an idol for immersion and the police, which accused the group of delaying the process. The stone-throwing led to a lathicharge. When the situation escalated, the police reportedly also fired. Chirag Paswan, whose party is fighting against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar despite being a part of the National Democratic Alliance tweeted on the incident. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi called the incident "unfortunate" and said the Election Commission should investigate and take action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 27 addressed the inauguration of the National Conference of the CBI on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, via video conferencing. He said, “If anyone incurs the maximum loss of corruption, it is the poor of the country. Today, the common man has faith in the institutions. Positivity has been created.”