Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi's convoy set on fire in Dumaria

Dumaria:  The convoy of former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was attacked here on Thursday by a mob protesting against the killing of an LJP leader by Maoists and demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Read: Suspected Maoists gun down LJP leader, cousin in Bihar

Magadh Range DIG Suarabh Kumar said the mob threw stones and set on fire two motorcycles and a jeep of the convoy but Manjhi himself was not hurt nor anyone accompanying him. Manjhi, who is Hindustani Awam Morcha president, is safe and secure and has been taken to the CRPF Cobra battalion camp in the town, the DIG said.

The mob attacked the convoy when it was crossing Dumaria Mor in the town, where locals were protesting the killing of LJP leader Sudesh Paswan and his cousin Sunil Paswan by Maoists on Wednesday. The protestors had in their possession the two bodies and refused to hand them over to the police.

After attacking Manjhi's con voy the mob turned its ire on Dumaria police station, barely 200 mt from the spot where Manjhi's convoy was attacked, threw stones and fired at it and set ablaze a police jeep, the DIG said.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Manoj Yadav was hit in the head and few policemen were injured forcing the police to burst tear gas shells to disperse the mob, Kumar said.

"The situation is now under control," he said adding the ASP has been sent to Gaya for treatment while other policemen, who received minor injuries, were discharged after receiving first aid.

Gaya District Magistrate and special superintendent of police Garima Mallik is camping at the site since morning and police could take away the two bodies after assuring the mob of compensation to the victim's family.

Police said the bodies were sent for post mortem at a local hospital. Additional forces have been deployed to control the situation and senior officials, Gaya DM, SSP, ASP are camping at the site, police added.