Bihar villagers complain of harassment by police, Maoists

Dumaria (Bihar), Feb 14 (ANI): Villagers of Dumaria in Bihar have complained of harassment from both the police and Maoists operating in the region.

On Saturday, police detained 6o villagers for questioning after an attack by Maoists, but released 54 of them later.

The villgers called for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to relocate them where they would not be disturbed by Maoists and the police.

"The police came here and started beating us. After all this, how can we live here? Our self-respect is destroyed. We are innocent, but they allege that we are Maoists. So now how can we live in such circumstances? Wherever the Nitish government will give us space to live, we are ready to live there," said Om Prakash Gupta, a villager.

Babita Tiwari, another villager, said the villgers had to live in constant fear of the police and the Maoists.

"We are trapped from all the sides. If Maoists come, then we go to police for support, but then they call us Maoists. So, the government should give us some way out and tell us where should we go and stay," she said.

However, Amit Lodha, the Senior Superintendent of Police of Gaya District, condemned the statements of the villagers, and said they are working towards the betterment of the villagers.

"We have always requested people to support police and come upfront. We also want to give scholarships to their children," he said. (ANI)