Ruckus over rising terror

PATNA: BJP members on Wednesday created ruckus in the Bihar legislative council during zero hour over the rise in terrorist activities in various parts of the state, particularly Sitamarhi, East Champaran, Nalanda and Bhojpur , in recent months. The opposition members sought a special debate on this sensitive issue. Earlier, Bihar used to be a transit centre for terrorists but now it is fast becoming an epicentre for terrorists, alleged BJP members.
Soon after the question hour, BJP member Lal Babu Prasad moved an adjournment motion during zero hour and said terrorism in Bihar is a matter of great concern. Amid chanting of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogans, Prasad recalled the incidents of hoisting of Pakistani flag in Nalanda, raising of pro-Pakistan slogans by the supporters of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in Patna and the arrest of a resident of Sitamarhi district, Yasmeen Ahmad from Delhi airport and said the state government has become a mute spectator only.
Despite repeated requests by Council chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh not to raise slogans, BJP members continued to do so. BJP members, including Nawal K Yadav, Sanjay Mayukh, Lal Babu Prasad, Rajnish Kumar, Vinod Narain Jha, K K Singh and Sachchidanand Rai, carrying placards swopped in the well of the House, forcing the chairman to adjourn the House till lunch break.
Leader of the opposition in the legislative council Sushil Kumar Modi expressed concern over the rise in terror activities in Bihar. Last month, supporters of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi took out a pro-Pakistan rally in Patna under the banner of Popular Front of India (PFI), the new avatar of now banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Police have arrested one Mohd Taufiq belonging to PFI and are investigating his bank account for foreign donations.
He also recalled the recent hoisting of Pakistani flag in Nalanda district and arrest of a 28-year-old woman, Yasmeen, from Sitamarhi district on Monday at the Delhi international airport when she was about to leave the country to allegedly join the Islamic State (IS).
The serial blasts in Bodh Gaya and at Gandhi Maidan in Patna are still fresh in the minds of people, he said and demanded that the government take stern action against such groups operating in various parts of the state.