A vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police was set on fire and at least eight policemen and fire brigade officials were injured in a violent attack by people who were trying to foil the district administration's attempt to demolish a roadside temple here in Bihar's Vaishali district last night, police today said.
Following an order of the Patna High Court two days back, a police team along with bulldozers had reached Vagmali locality to demolish the temple on encroached land, when people attacked them, Superintendent of Police Rakesh Kumar said.
DSP, Headquarters, Siya Ram Prasad Gupta was supervising the operation when the mob attacked his vehicle and set it on fire.
The DSP was not in his vehicle during the incident. The driver fled after protesters pelted stones before setting it ablaze.
At least eight policemen and fire brigade officials were injured in the mob fury.
Besides the DSP's vehicle, the mob also torched two tractor trolleys.
The injured have been admitted to the Sadar hospital.
Inspector Shankar Jha of town police station has been put under suspension following the incident.
The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have gone to Patna High Court to inform it about the incident.
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Principal Secretary, Home, Amir Subhani appeared before a bench of Acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court Iqbal Ahmad Ansari and Justice Chakradhari Singh today and said the state government was trying to peacefully resolve the matter related to boundary wall of a temple encroaching government land in Hajipur.
The court has fixed February 29 for next hearing.
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Meanwhile, police have detained town RJD president Subhash Nirala in connection with the violence.
A group of people later assembled at the town police station where Nirala, who is also a ward councillor, was kept and demanded his release.
Nirala has been held for preventing government officials from discharging their duty, Superintendent of Police Rakesh Kumar said.
The protesters left the police station after persuasion by the police, the SP added.
Eyewitnesses said that the protesters blocked road at Gandhi Chowk while returning from town police station for some time to press for Nirala's release.
