Assault on scribes: JD-U MLA Anant Singh held

Patna, Nov 1: The ruling JD(U) MLA Anant Singh from Mokameh Assembly segment, considered to be close aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was arrested for assaulting journalists and for keeping them hostage at his official residence here today.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Patna range Sunil Kumar said here that Mr Singh along with four others were arrested for assaulting and keeping the scribes hostage for a few hours.

Mr Kumar said the arrested people along with the MLA would be produced before the court during the day.

He said lawful actions were being taken against the MLA and other guilty persons in this connection. The arrested MLA was being quetioned by the police, he informed.

Meanwhile, a case was lodged at Sachiwalaya police station against Mr Singh for beating the journalists and for holding some of them in captivity at his official residence for a few hours.

The incident took place when the scribes approached Mr Singh for his comment in connection with murder of a woman, who was allegedly raped by Mr Singh and his henchmen repeatedly.

The body guards of Mr Singh later pelted stones and beat up some journalists gathered this morning at the residence of the MLA, located in the VVIP area of the security zone.

The high voltage drama of the ruling JD(U) MLA, popular as 'Chhote Sarkar' continued for more than three hours, after which senior Police Superintendent Kundan Krishnan rushed to the spot and rescued the scribes from the clutches of Mr Singh.

Meanwhile, the RJD gave a call for Bihar bandh tomorrow in protest against the incident. The announcement was made by the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Rabri Devi.

Demanding CBI probe into the entire incident involving Mr Singh, Rabri Devi said the incident was an open testimony of lawlessness prevailing in the present regime. She said her party would raise the matter and launch agitation as the fourth estate had been attacked by none other than the MLA of ruling party.

NCP State unit president Upendra Kushwaha, who recently joined the party, abandoning JD(U) demanded a speedy trial in this case from chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Meanwhile, even after repeated efforts, the assaulted scribes failed to contact the state chief minister Nitish Kumar for comment.

Earlier, copy of a letter addressed to the chief minister was received by the senior police officers and also in the offices of news organisations, in which a woman name Reshmi had alleged that Mr Anant Singh and his henchmen had raped her on several occasions in the name of giving her a job.

She had also mentioned about the threats of her life given by the JD(U) MLA.

Meanwhile, body of woman packed in a sack was recovered under Shashtrinagar police station area this morning. The body is being suspected to be that of Reshmi and this discovery has sent the top brass of the Bihar government into tizzy.

DIG Sunil Kumar said Anant Singh and his four accomplices were arrested under non bailable sections.

UNI