Gang rivalry claims 16 lives so far in Bihar

Sheikhpura,Bihar, May 21 : The chain of violent incidents, triggered by fresh spate of gang rivalry, has claimed 16 lives so far, as the rival gangs continued to attack each other during the Panchayat elections in Bihar.

Seven people were gunned down in Manipur village under Kasar police station area in last night's massacre, allegedly engineered by Ashok Mahto gang, active in Sheikhpura region.

According to official reports, those killed in the shoot out had been identified as Dahramendra Chaurasiya, 18, Renu Devi, 35, Narendra Cahursiya, 52, Bindu Chaurasiya, 12, Bittu Chaurasiya, 8, Saurabh Kumar, 5, and Suraj, 5. Sushma ,5, had been admitted at Patna Medical college Hospital in serious condition.

Initially the reports pouring in from the spot had informed about nine casualties in the massacre. The police, however, today confirmed seven deaths in the incident.

Earlier, Akhilesh Singh gang, the rival gang of Ashok Mahto, had shot dead nine people on May 18 at Gowachack village under Sarmera police station area of Nalanda district.

Last night's carnage, which took place at Manipur village, had been engineered to avenge the killing of four people in the same village on May 5.

Meanwhile, zonal IG of Bhagalpur R R Verma, Munger range DIG, Police Superintendent of Sheikhpura Ajay Kumar Mishra, DM Rajesh Kumar were camping at the spot where the situation was stated to be tense.

Protesting against the killings, the irate villagers have not allowed the administration to lift the bodies and were demanding visit of state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the spot.

UNI