Nitish orders inquiry into lathicharge on relatives of Manoj

Patna, Mar 31(UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced a high level probe into the lathicharge incident on parents and relatives of Manoj, who was kidnapped 13 days ago.

As soon as the upper House assembled during the post lunch session, members, cutting across party lines, raised the issue of lathicharge by the police on relatives of the abducted youth when they had gone to meet the Chief Minister at his official residence yesterday.

Intervening into the chaotic situation in the legislative council, Mr Kumar said he had been away from his residence to attend a function during the time of the incident. He expressed anguish and pain at the incident, saying that the persons found guilty in the incident would not be spared.

He said that the IG (Patna) would conduct an inquiry into the incident and action would be taken against the erring officials.

''Officers and security personnel have been deputed to facilitate the people to meet the Chief Minister if required and not to harass them,'' he added.

Mr Kumar said arrangements were being made for the people who want to meet him individually or in groups.

The official residence of CM is located in highly protected area and security personnel remain alert which may cause inconvenience to the public,'' he noted.

Mr Kumar also expressed concern over the attack on a senior journalist of a national weekly in Patna yesterday and said action had already been taken against the guilty persons.

UNI XC-RS SP VD DB2129