Opposition attacks Nitish over police firing deaths

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The Opposition parties in Bihar were on Monday up in arms against chief minister Nitish Kumar, holding him responsible for last week’s police firing in Araria district in which four people were killed.

Four people, all belonging to poor Muslim families, were killed and over a dozen were injured June 3 when police opened fire at a group of protesters in Forbesganj, about 350 km from Patna. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the main opposition party, has decided to send a fact — finding team to Forbesganj. RJD state president Ramchandra Purve said his party will submit the fact-finding team’s report to the National Human Rights Commission, Central government and governor Devanand Konwa. “Four innocent poor people were killed by police when they were protesting silently.

And it is not a barbaric act for chief minister Nitish Kumar. He is more sensitive and concerned about anything happening outside the state. RJD will expose his double-face over the issue,” Purve told IANS. According to a district administration official, hundreds of people were protesting the blockading of a street due to a starch factory being set up near their village. The demonstration later led to police firing. Congress leaders have demanded registration of a case under Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code against the police officials.

“Congress workers will protest till the state government registers a case and removes Araria police superintendent for the incident,” Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan said. Lok Janshakti Party and Left parties also threatened to protest if the state government failed to take stern action against the policemen involved in the incident. Opposition leader in the Bihar Assembly Abdul Bari Siddiqui said the police firing has vindicated their stand that Nitish Kumaer’s claim of good governance is only a gimmick.