Vaishali: At least a dozen homes belonging to the Nat community were allegedly set ablaze in Chakmubarak village of Lalganj, Vaishali, after residents accused the community of storing and selling banned meat. The incident, which took place on Saturday afternoon, destroyed property worth several lakhs and left families devastated.
According to local reports, tensions escalated when villagers claimed they had received information about the trafficking of “suspicious and prohibited meat” in the area. A man transporting a sack of meat on a motorcycle was reportedly confronted by locals but fled, abandoning his vehicle.
When villagers searched the nearby area, they claimed to have found sacks of meat behind some houses belonging to the Nat community. The absence of a “clear explanation,” witnesses said, inflamed tempers, and the situation quickly turned violent.
Crowds then torched around a dozen homes, reducing household items, clothes, utensils, jewellery, cash, and gas cylinders to ashes. Fire brigade teams from Lalganj and Vaishali battled the flames for several hours before the blaze was contained.
Police, led by Lalganj station chief Santosh Kumar and Vaishali station chief Rajkumar, reached the spot and dispersed the crowd. Officers have since launched an investigation and begun identifying individuals involved in the arson.
“Strict action will be taken against those responsible,” police officials said, adding that calm has been restored in the village.
Families affected by the attack were seen weeping near the remains of their homes, many stating they lost everything within minutes. Authorities are yet to assess the full extent of the damage.
