Patna: A routine patrol turned into chaos in Gopalganj on Sunday evening after a rural police inspector’s vehicle lost control near Jadopur Chowk and ploughed into roadside street vendors, injuring three people. The incident quickly escalated into a riot after rumours spread that the victims had died on the spot, sparking anger among locals.
Within minutes, hundreds of people gathered at the scene, blocking the service road along the National Highway and vandalising the damaged police vehicle. The mob later set the jeep ablaze, sending plumes of smoke across the area as tension spread through the busy marketplace. Police arriving at the site were met with stone pelting from the crowd, which had grown increasingly violent.
District officials said that the situation remained volatile for several hours. “The mob went out of control following rumours of deaths. Tear gas shells were fired and water cannons used to disperse them,” said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pranjal, who led the operation to bring the situation under control.
#WATCH | Gopalganj, Bihar: On police vehicle set on fire, Gopalganj’s SP Avdhesh Dixit said, “Around 6:30-7:00 pm, three boys were going on a bike. A police vehicle was also passing by. A Scorpio came speeding from the front. While trying to avoid the Scorpio, the bike riders met… pic.twitter.com/TY6cACo5ao
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2025
Senior officers, including District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Sinha, Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Dixit, and Circle Officer Rajat Barnwal, reached the site with reinforcements and assured residents of a full inquiry into the incident. The damaged vehicle was extinguished by fire brigade personnel after hours of effort.
The injured — identified as Nandu Kumar Chauhan of Lakhpatiyan Mod, Aishan Ali of Ekderwa village, and Raj Hussain — were taken to Sadar Hospital. Two of them, Chauhan and Ali, were later referred to Gorakhpur Medical College due to their critical condition.
Police said the violence was fuelled by misinformation. “The rumour that three people had died was completely false. All injured are alive and under treatment,” said SP Awadhesh Dixit. He added that additional forces have been deployed at Jadopur Chowk, which has now been converted into a temporary police camp.
Authorities have appealed to residents to refrain from spreading rumours on social media or within the community. The administration has also promised strict action against any personnel found guilty of negligence in the initial accident.
