Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, March 19
An Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of police was killed and three policemen were injured when a mob agitated over a custodial death set on fire the police station building at Balthar in West Champaran district, 250 kms north from here on Saturday afternoon.
According to Upendra Nath Sharma, district SP, several vehicles parked in the police station were destroyed as the mob set them on fire. The agitated mob also set on fire the official vehicle of the circle inspector of Mainatand.
Police resorted to 15 rounds of firing to quell the mob which had overtaken control of the police station and its barracks.
Earlier in the day, during Holi celebrations, on complaint of local block development officer, Meena Sharma and circle officer, Manish Kumar, seized a vehicle of Anirudh Kumar who was playing orchestra. He was taken to the police station at Barthar
After couple of hours, police put the body of Anirudh outside the police station premises. Villagers rushed to the police station and alleged Anirudh was brutally beaten in the police lock up and he died of cruelty by the police men.
Enraged over the death in lock up, villagers also attacked Purushottampur and Gopalpur police stations before setting on fire Balthar police station.
