Bhagalpur: Tensions flared in Bhagalpur on Thursday after a police Dial-112 vehicle allegedly ran over a 10-year-old girl on NH-80 in the Bypass police station area, killing her instantly and leaving her cousin seriously injured.
The deceased has been identified as Mantasha, daughter of Mohammad Abrar, a resident of Kurbaan village. Eyewitnesses alleged that the police vehicle was speeding and driven carelessly, and instead of stopping, the personnel fled the scene.
The injured girl was rushed to hospital, while enraged villagers and family members placed Mantasha’s body on the highway, blocking traffic and setting tyres ablaze. The protest caused long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road.
Police from three stations, including Bypass, reached the spot to control the situation. Station in-charge Prabhat Kumar engaged with villagers and the family, eventually persuading them to lift the blockade after more than an hour. The body was later sent for postmortem.
“My daughter died because of police negligence. They ran away after the accident,” said her father Abrar, demanding strict action against the erring policemen and compensation for the family.
DSP Mohd Ayub confirmed that the accident had taken place. “One child has died, another is injured and under treatment. People allege the vehicle belonged to Dial-112. CCTV footage is being examined and the matter is under investigation. Compensation will also be provided,” he said.
