Bihar flood victim killed in police baton charge

The victim was killed when policemen on Sunday used force against an angry crowd of flood victims protesting the lack of relief material.

A 35-year-old man survived the Bihar floods only to be killed in a baton charge that also injured four people as policemen on Sunday used force against an angry crowd of flood victims protesting the lack of relief material.

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Some policemen were also injured when the flood victims threw stones in Sonbarsa block of Saharsa district. A police inspector was suspended after the incident.

Saharsa Superintendent of Police Kunwar Singh confirmed that a 35-year-old man, who was yet to be identified, was killed in the baton charge and a few people were also injured.

Singh said the baton charge was resorted to when the flood victims pelted stones on policemen.

The state government has announced compensation of Rs100,000 for the family of the deceased.

Faced with food shortages and the failure of the state administration to provide relief material, people affected by the recent floods in 19 out of Bihar's 36 districts have been protesting against the government at many places.

State disaster management officials, however, denied any shortage of relief material.