Two killed in police firing in Bihar

Two people, including a woman, were killed and five others injured Saturday when police opened fire to control a mob protesting a man's arrest in Bihar's Aurangabad district.

"Police were forced to open fire when a mob attacked them, set ablaze their vehicles and targeted the office of the block development officer in Madanpur of Aurangabad following arrest of a man, suspected to be a Maoist," a district police official said.

Two people, including a woman, died on the spot and five others were injured in the police firing. The injured have been admitted to a hospital.

"The mob targeted the police as they were not ready to end their blockade of the National Highway 2 while protesting against arrest of a villager for his alleged links with Maoists. The mob first pelted stones and then attacked the policemen," Madanpur police officials said.

Police lobbed tear-gas shells to disperse the unruly crowd but opened fire after being attacked.

Aurangabad is considered a Maoist stronghold.

The situation in Madanpur is tense but under control. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area.