The Hindu : Student's death triggers violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 21, 2003

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Student's death triggers violence

By K. Balchand

PATNA Feb. 20. Students and workers of Opposition parties today went on the rampage in Madhepura district, following the death of a student in police firing.

Police resorted to firing when a group of students attempted to take away some persons arrested for helping them in using unfair means during the ongoing intermediate examinations. More than two dozen people, including officials, were injured in the arson that followed the firing. A student, Ranvijay Singh Rana, who was injured in the firing, died while he was being brought to the Patna Medical College Hospital.

The National Democratic Alliance gave a call for a bandh and it turned violent with mobs targeting government offices. The Madhepura station, collectorate, police station, civil court and the block office were ransacked. While the car of the local MLA, Bhupendra Rishideo, was damaged, those of the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police, the Chief Judicial Magistrate and an executive engineer were set on fire. About 1000 sacks of rice was reduced to ashes. Shops were forced to down shutters. Mobs fought pitched battles with the police at various points. The police opened fire at the district headquarters of Sheikhpura under similar circumstances, injuring about half a dozen persons.

The Indian Federal Democratic Party has given a call for Madhepura bandh tomorrow. The RJD appealed to students and residents not be led astray.

The DGP, D.P.Ojha, today ordered a departmental enquiry against the Madhepura DSP and Inspector for their role in the firing, besides suspending five constables.

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Student's death triggers violence