At least 14 people were arrested by police after a mob torched houses in a village in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district killing three people following the recovery of a youth’s body, as per news reports on Monday.
The government has reportedly formed a two-member enquiry committee to probe the matter and a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh has also been announced for the family of the victims.
Tension gripped a Bihar village Monday, a day after three people were burnt to death and 10 were injured when a mob torched over three dozen houses in Muzaffarpur district after the body of an abducted youth was found, police said.
Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Anupam Kumar told IANS by telephone that a probe into the arson attack began following the directive of Chief Minister Jitan Kumar Manjhi, who is on a visit to Mumbai.
Manjhi is likely to visit the village on Monday evening.
Kumar said that preliminary probe suggests that clash in the village was the result of a love affair.
“District administration was not taking any chances, fearing retaliation by villagers,” he said.
The incident took place in Ajitpur Bahilwara village after the body of a 20-year-old boy was recovered Sunday. He was allegedly abducted and killed for his love affair with a girl from a different community.
Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjeet Kumar Mishra said a mob attacked the house of the main accused in the youth’s abduction and killing, triggering a clash between the villagers.
“Mob torched several houses in which three people were burnt to death and some injured. They also set ablaze vehicles,” Mishra said.
