Six injured in clashes, curfew in Bihar town

Curfew was imposed in a Bihar town where police resorted to firing Monday following a violent clash between two communities, in which at least half a dozen people were seriously injured, officials said.

Police opened fire when a mob attacked the Bundelkhand police station in Nawada, about 150 km from here.

"Curfew has been imposed in Nawada town, as the situation went out of control after a violent clash between two communities," Nawada Superintendent of Police M.S. Dhillon said.

Dhillon said tension prevailed in Nawada town, and additional security forces had been deployed.

Communal tension erupted Friday when an altercation took place between a group of kanwarias (Hindu pilgrims) and another community at a roadside eatery in Nawada.

District officials said clashes continued after the death of a 20-year-old youth, Kundan Kumar, who was injured along with three others in police firing Saturday.

Kundan Kumar died at the Patna Medical College and Hospital Sunday.

District authorities had imposed curfew in Nawada for a few hours Saturday but later lifted it.

Dhillon said Assistant Sub-Inspector Kamal Narain Singh of Nawada town police station has been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed concern over the situation in Nawada, and directed officials to take stern action against anti-social elements.

Nitish Kumar further appealed to people and all political parties to help the government ensure peace and social harmony in Nawada town.

"I will not allow any one to flare up communal tension in the state," he said.