Nine policemen, 1 villager injured in clashes

Nine policemen, including a DSP, and a villager were injured today in clashes during a protest over alleged irregularities in distribution of relief material in Bihar's Araria district.

Nine policemen, including a DSP, and a villager were injured on Tuesday in clashes during a protest over alleged irregularities in distribution of relief material in Bihar's Araria district.

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Around 2,000 relief-seekers assembled on the Purnia-Araria National Highway at Gayari village and blocked the road, Superintendent of Police Umashankar Sudhanshu said

The protestors, who turned violent after they were persuaded to lift the blockade, hurled stones at the police, he said, adding some anti-socials in the crowd also fired at the policemen.

Nine policemen, including a DSP, a SHO and a ASI, sustained injuries in the firing and stone-throwing incidents, Sudhanshu said, adding the injured have been admitted to a government hospital here.

After failing to control the protestors, police fired two rounds in which a villager was critically injured, officials said.

Locals had launched the blockade to protest against the alleged irregularities in distribution of relief among the people who were affected by the thunder squall that hit the district in April.