Patna, Sep 22 (IANS): Political tensions in Bihar have intensified following police action against two accused in the alleged molestation of a minor female student in Jamui, with Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi taking a dig at Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav over the caste dimension of the controversy.
Police said Nandan Yadav was arrested after allegedly sustaining a leg injury during a police encounter. Another accused, Hare Ram Yadav, was also arrested after reportedly injuring his leg while attempting to flee.
The arrests added a political dimension to the case, with Manjhi referring to the accused’s Yadav identities while responding to Opposition criticism. In a post on X, Manjhi said HAM believed in action, not just words, and called Tejashwi’s frequent political references to Yadavs his “brothers.”
He wrote that some of these alleged brothers had been accused of molesting a girl in Jamui and recording the incident. Taking a swipe at Tejashwi, Manjhi suggested the RJD leader might claim that the Samrat Choudhary government had targeted members of his community.
Manjhi further advised Tejashwi to warn those he described as his brothers, adding that the government would not spare anyone found involved in criminal activity.
The remarks came amid a wider political confrontation over the Jamui incident. Opposition leaders have criticised the state government over law and order, while ruling alliance leaders have defended the police response and highlighted the arrests.
Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the incident and identify the roles of other individuals allegedly involved. Authorities are examining the viral video and other evidence as part of the investigation.
The case has also prompted action against the circulation of material that could reveal the identity of the minor victim. Police have appealed to the public not to share or repost such content.
