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Narayanpur massacre: 41 Ranvir Sena men arrested

Y Bala Murali Krishna in Patna

The Bihar police have launched a crackdown against the outlawed Ranvir Sena, arresting 41 of their activists overnight in the extremist-affected Bhojpur and Jehanabad districts of Bihar.

The police said 20 Sena men were rounded up in Bhojpur and 21 in Jehanabad.

Two of them were arrested in connection with Wednesday night's massacre at Narayanpur village in which 12 dalits were gunned down. In all, 19 were named in the first information report at the Sukurabad police station.

The police raided the private army's hideouts in Gaya district and seized two regular arms, six country made arms and 97 live cartridges. The raids will continue in the extremist-dominated areas. Armed police pickets had been posted in vulnerable areas.

Earlier, an emergency meeting of the Cabinet presided over by Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani today reportedly favoured imposition of President's rule in Bihar in the wake of the massacre of 12 dalits in Jehanabad district on Wednesday night.

The Cabinet decision is expected to be conveyed to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is currently in Jamaica to attend the G-15 meeting.

Attorney General Soli Sorabjee was invited for this morning's meeting to provide expert legal advice on the issue.

The Cabinet also met last night to take stock of the political and security situation in Bihar, which has witnessed a spate of violent caste clashes.

Advani briefed the prime minister about last night's meeting on the telephone.

UNI

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