Patna: Tensions flared in Patna on Saturday night as police attempted to arrest Shishir Kumar, the son of city Mayor Sita Sahu, triggering loud protests from local residents and political supporters. Crowds gathered outside the Mayor’s residence in the Patan Devi area, chanting slogans in support of Sahu and accusing the authorities of orchestrating a politically motivated move.
Officers from Gandhi Maidan police station arrived late on Saturday to detain Kumar in connection with an FIR lodged after a violent altercation at the Patna Municipal Corporation Board’s ninth meeting. However, the police were met with fierce resistance from locals, who surrounded the police vehicle and staged a sit-in demanding the removal of Municipal Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar.
The protesters allege that Kumar, a potential BJP candidate for the upcoming assembly elections from Patna City, is being targeted to damage his political prospects. Demonstrators accused the police of attempting to break into the house “like criminals” at around 1.30am, with residents burning effigies of the municipal commissioner in protest.
The unrest follows a tumultuous board meeting on Friday, held at a hotel in Patna, where a clash between supporters and opponents of the Mayor escalated into a physical altercation. One ward councillor reportedly had their kurta torn in the scuffle. In the aftermath, an FIR was filed against Shishir Kumar at both Gandhi Maidan and Alamganj police stations.
Speaking to reporters, Gandhi Maidan SHO Rajesh Kumar confirmed that police had gone to question Kumar following the FIR but were unable to proceed due to the unrest. “We are following due process based on the complaint received after the board meeting,” he said.
Municipal Commissioner Parashar had earlier accused Kumar of arriving at the meeting armed and accompanied by bouncers. “This is a government meeting. Criminals from outside Patna were called in with weapons. We are verifying the CCTV footage,” Parashar said. “This is Gandhi’s country. Governance cannot be conducted under the threat of guns and bouncers.”
In response to the incident, the Patna Municipal Corporation has issued a letter banning Shishir Kumar from attending any future meetings or entering the corporation office. The letter cited his alleged misconduct during the meeting and ongoing criminal cases as grounds for the decision.
