Bihar may witness largescale caste retaliation for the killing of Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh, alias Mukhiyaji, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants last Friday in Bhojpur district.
This is the observation of central intelligence agencies which has been routed to the state government through the Union home ministry.
The note also states that “in wake of a strong possibility of a bitter caste war breaking out all senior police and administration officials should be put on field postings at least for next one month.”
Singh, who was shot dead while on a morning walk, was released from jail just a few days ago. Ranvir Sena, a private militia of the upper caste, has been accused of largescale massacre of people from lower sections of the society.
The Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), which subsequently got merged with the CPI (Maoist), has been strongly opposed to the Ranvir Sena. Thus, the intelligence agencies have cautioned the state government that Naxals could play a crucial role in case of retaliation, so in anticipation adequate precautionary measures should be put in place by the state police.
Districts like Bhojpur, Jehanabad and Arwal where the Sena has a sizeable presence have been identified as sensitive districts. The state police got a hint of what the Sena supporters were capable of when they went on a rampage during Singh’s funeral procession in Patna on Saturday.
The killing is being seen as the first major law and order challenge for the Nitish government in Bihar which has not witnessed any major caste war in the last few years.
“The backlash is bound to be there as the Sena supporters suspect that Naxal-backed local groups are behind Singh’s killing. It’s a well-planned conspiracy carried out by a well-organised gang. And once the involvement of Naxals comes into the picture, it becomes extremely serious,” a senior internal security official said.
The Maoist Communist Centre has had a longstanding feud with the Ranvir Sena, which is likely to target Naxal supporters in the days to come, the note states.