Police resorted to fire to disperse agitating mob

Kishanganj (Bihar), Oct 31 (UNI) Police opened at least sixteen rounds of fire to disperse a mob, which demanded firm action against transport department officials and police, whom they alleged as responsible for a road mishap in which three persons were killed and two were injured near court campus on NH-31 here today.

Police Superintendent Sunil Kumar Sinha, confirming the deaths in the road accident, however, said only five rounds were fired. No one was injured in police firing, he added.

According to police, a truck skidded off the road and mowed down people along the roadside. Three telecommunication department employees, who were buying 'paan'(betel) at roadside shop, were killed. Two died on the spot while another succumbed at MGM Medical Collage and Hospital.

Those BSNL employees killed were Manan Kumar Mali (25) Chuniram Hansda (45) and Manohar Paswan (50).

Eye-witnesses said the truck, being chased by transport officials in a jeep, lost control killing the people at the road side.

SP and DM, jointly addressing newsmen during the day, said the police opened fire when people tried to stop bodies being carried away. They opened fire in self-defence and to protect public property being ransacked and being set ablaze. Two persons were arrested.

DM Daya Nandan Prasad said tear-gas and Rapid Action force vehicle were stuck up at railway level crossing resulting in the police firing. The SP alleged mob also pelted stones.

Former Bihar Minister Munna Mushtaq, District RJD Chief Usman Gani, former BJP MLA Sikander Singh and other political leaders said police firing was uncalled for and an attempt to protect the transport officials and cops, who run a racket in extorting truckers.

DM and SP assured to look into the allegations against transport officials.

UNI XC/RS TJP rn1859