Two held in Bihar for 'hoisting' Pakistan flag

Patna, July 21: Two people, including a woman, were arrested in Bihar's Nalanda district on Thursday on charge of hoisting a Pakistan flag, police said. Raids were on to arrest one more person in this connection.

The Pakistan flag was found hoisted on top of a building in Kharadi mohalla of Bihar Sharif, the headquarters of Nalanda district.

Nalanda is the home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"We have arrested two people after registered an FIR against three accused named in connection with the hoisting of a Pakistan flag in Bihar Sharif," Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said.

Police have interrogated Sabana Anwar and her close relative Saukat Anwar after the incident. Third accused Naushad Anwar was absconding, the police officer said.

He said a probe into the matter by senior police officials had been ordered. "It is a serious matter and I have ordered a probe into it," Ashish said.

Ashish and Deputy Inspector General (Patna zone) N.H. Khan confirmed that the hoisted flag was of Pakistan.

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the culprits.

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly Prem Kumar, a BJP legislator, condemned the incident and blamed the Nitish Kumar government.

On Saturday, police in Patna arrested Mohammad Taufique in connection with the shouting of pro-Pakistan slogan during a march here a day earlier. Raids were on to arrest more accused in the case, police said.

An FIR regarding the incident was lodged at the Pirbahore police station here.

According to police officials, the march was held under the banner of Popular Front of India in support of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi here.

"Some people in the march shouted pro-Pakistan slogans, the first time such a thing has happened in Patna," a police official said.

IANS