30 policemen injured as violence erupts,police opens fire

Patna, Oct 23 (UNI) About 50 people, including 30 police personnel, were injured in a series of violent incidents in different parts of Bihar tonight forcing the Railway authorities to suspend its services in the state despite immense inconveniences being caused to the general public.

Official reports from Motihari in East Champaran district which witnessed the most serious violent incidents, said at least 24 policemen including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) were injured during clashes with the students at the railway station and the adjoining township, forcing the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPc and deployment of paramilitary forces.

The violence erupted as about 3,000 students ransacked the Motihari station, set it on fire and damaged the ticket counters and several other railway properties. They also torched a police jeep and damaged a fire engine.

As the police resorted to mild lathicharge to ward off the mob, the violence spread to the adjoining township leading to several clashes between the students and the police force untill the prohibitory orders were clamped.

Similar reports of violence also came from Nalanda district headquarters. At least six policemen including a Sub-Inspector were injured during violent student protests at Bihar Sharif in this south Bihar district, while several students also sustained injuries during clashes.

Police fired several rounds in the air after lathis failed to disperse another group of violent students at Bihar Sharif town.

However, none was injured in the firing, the official sources confirmed.

In Lakshisarai station, the agitators stopped the 503 up Jhanjha-Patna passenger and prevented the onward journey of 3019 up Kathgodam-Howarh express. They staged dharnas on the track shouting anti-MNS and anti Raj Thackeray slogans.

They also resorted to vandalism in Lakhisarai station but were prevented by the police force from causing any major damage.

Agitated students also ransacked the Gaya station and clashed with the police, in which several students were injured. However, presence of a strong police contingent prevented the situation from going out of control.

EDs: here pick up suitably from all earlier and related series.

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