Clashes between two communities broke out in Bihar’s Nawada city on Friday after an idol of Hindu god Hanuman was believed to have been desecrated. Security personnel were deployed, and the police had to fire several rounds in the air to calm the crowd, ANI reported.

Some people also damaged microphones and cameras of media persons. “Some miscreants vandalised an idol, which led the communities to come face to face,” Nawada District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar said.

Nawada is the eighth city in Bihar to be hit by communal violence since the last weekend. Two Bharatiya Janata Party workers were among the nearly 50 people detained on Thursday in two districts in connection with communal clashes, which first broke out during Ram Navami celebrations on Sunday.

Amit Shah seeks report on West Bengal situation

Meanwhile, BJP National President Amit Shah on Friday set up a four-member committee to visit violence-hit areas in Asansol city in West Bengal and submit a report, ANI reported. BJP leaders OM Mathur, Shahnawaz Hussain, Roopa Ganguly and BD Mathur were appointed to the committee.

The Centre has also sought a report from the West Bengal government on violence during Ram Navami processions in the state. The Ministry of Home Affairs sought details of the incidents and prevailing tension in West Bengal, the measures taken to restore calm and the action initiated against those involved.