Bagaha firing: LJP demands probe by HC judge

Condemning the death of six Tharu tribals in police firing in Bihar's Bagaha district on June 24, Lok Janshakti Party today demanded a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the incident and slammed the government there for the "deteriorating law and order" situation.
The party in a memorandum to the President sought compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the family members of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh to those injured and government jobs to members of the victims' families.
"The ruthless, undemocratic methods employed by the Bihar government were once again on display on June 24 when the Bihar police opened firing without any provocation on a peaceful, unarmed group of dispossessed tribals," the party alleged.

It said all cases of rioting against the innocent tribals should be dropped and the entire incident be probed by a sitting High Court judge.
"The DM and SP concerned should be suspended and the police personnel who resorted to unprovoked firing should be charged for murder and punished suitably," it demanded.
A police team had gone to Katharawa village to probe a murder case of a youth when a mob had pelted stones on the police team which had opened fire, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S K Bharadwaj had said.

Bagaha police district's Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar had confirmed that 15 to 16 rounds were fired by the policemen on the mob.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on June 27 described the incident as "sorrowful" and said a compensation of Rs 4 lakh was given to families of each of the victims.
The party had alleged that the firing was "unprovoked" and those killed were unarmed group of "dispossessed" tribals of the Tharu community.
On June 29, a delegation of senior leaders of the party had visited the area and met the victims.