Patna: Protesters set vehicles ablaze and blocked traffic on Patna’s Atal Path on Monday, demanding justice over the deaths of a brother and sister whose family alleges foul play.
Tension gripped Patna on Monday as residents staged a violent protest on Atal Path over the deaths of two children, Deepak (5) and Laxmi (7), whose bodies were discovered inside a parked car on August 15 in Indrapuri. Demonstrators torched vehicles, including a Scorpio and a motorbike, vandalised property and pelted stones at cars, leaving commuters stranded for more than 45 minutes.
A VVIP convoy passing through the area came under attack, prompting police to escort it out under heavy security. Senior officials, including IG Jitendra Rana and SSP Kartikeya Sharma, were deployed with forces from more than 12 police stations to disperse the crowd. Mild force was used to control the mob as arson and stone-pelting escalated.
The children’s mother has accused a local teacher of murdering them, alleging they were strangled and then placed inside the vehicle to cover up the crime. She claims police are attempting to portray the deaths as accidental. “There were marks on their necks and injuries on their hands. We want justice,” she said.
Authorities, however, suggested the siblings may have entered the vehicle while playing and died in an accident. The lack of swift action has fuelled public outrage, with locals accusing police of shielding the accused.
