Kanhaiya's supporters clash with locals in his home district of Begusarai; FIR lodged

Two persons were injured and several vehicles were vandalised when supporters of former JNUSU chief Kanhaiya Kumar and local residents came to blows, police said Tuesday.

The incident took place Monday night in Bhagwanpur police station area where Kumar had made a brief stopover while returning to his home in Beehat village after addressing a public meeting, SHO Deepak Kumar said.

Kanhaiya had gone to meet a friend living on the upper storey of a building, close to which Durga Puja celebrations were on. The cavalcade of his supporters blocked a part of the street, thus hindering the movement of vehicles, the officer said.

When locals objected, the former JNUSU chief's supporters declined to move following which both the sides came to blows, resulting in the injuries to two Puja Samiti members, even as nearly half a dozen vehicles parked on the street were vandalised, the SHO said.

Kanhaiya along with his supporters left the spot after the clashes following which the locals lodged a complaint against those involved in the violence, police said, adding the matter is being investigated and action will be taken in accordance with law.

Later, a counter FIR was lodged at the Barauni police station by Kanhaiya and his supporters wherein they accused the residents of Bhagwanpur of "murderous assault", SHO Gajendra Singh said.

Notably, an FIR was also lodged at a police station in Patna against the former JNUSU chief and his supporters on Monday by doctors at AIIMS, Patna.

According to the FIR, Kanhaiya and his associates reportedly assaulted an intern at AIIMS on Sunday night, snatched his mobile phone and thrashed a security guard who tried to intervene in the matter.