26 villagers held for stone-pelting on Bihar CM's convoy

As many as 26 persons, including 10 women, have been arrested in connection with stone-pelting on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's convoy in Buxar district and a high-level probe is underway, an official said on Sunday.

"In the last two days, 26 persons have been arrested," the district official said in Buxar.

Upset over lack of development, a group of villagers on Friday stoned the convoy in Nandan village during the Chief Minister's ongoing 'Samiksha Yatra', injuring nearly a dozen security personnel.

According to police, when Nitish Kumar was passing through the village, some people urged him to visit the area inhabited by Dalits which they claimed was neglected.

But the Chief Minister ignored the plea, angering the villagers who attacked his convoy. Some youths also shouted slogans against Nitish Kumar.

Police had said that nearly a dozen police officials were injured and windscreens of several vehicles damaged in the attack.

Five FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident against 99 named and 500-700 unnamed persons.

Nitish Kumar on Sunday said he was the "target" of the attack.

Patna Divisional Commissioner Anand Kishore visited Buxar on Saturday along with Inspector General of Police (Patna Zone) N.H. Khan and began a probe.

--IANS

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