Patna: A violent incident was reported from Barh subdivision near Patna after villagers attacked a police team following the recovery of a missing man’s body from the Ganges river. In the clash, seven police personnel, including the station house officer of Salimpur police station, were injured. The situation became tense as angry residents accused the police of negligence and damaged police vehicles during the protest.
The unrest began after the body of Kanhaiya Sharma, a resident of Lakhipur village, was recovered from the Ganges on Friday. Sharma had been missing for the past two days, and his family had earlier expressed fears that he had been kidnapped and killed. As soon as news of the recovery spread, villagers gathered in large numbers and started questioning the role of the police, alleging that timely action was not taken despite a complaint being filed.
According to the family, Kanhaiya Sharma went to his fields in the Ramnagar Diyara area on the evening of 16 December along with his brother. During this time, he was allegedly taken away by armed men. An FIR was registered at Salimpur police station in which 14 people were named as accused. Police said three of the accused have been arrested so far, while raids are continuing to catch the others.
The protest turned violent when police reached the area after the body was found. Several policemen were attacked and police vehicles were vandalised. The injured officers were taken to Bakhtiyarpur community health centre for treatment. SDPO-2 Ayush Srivastava said that 10 people have been detained for questioning and additional police forces have been deployed in the area. He added that the situation is now under control and strict action will be taken against those who disturb law and order.
