A police team was attacked by locals at Paharpur Western Registry Tola under the Jurawanpur police station area of Raghavpur block. The team had gone to the location following a tip-off regarding the sale and purchase of illicit liquor. The mob became violent in an attempt to free two individuals detained by the police. Three police personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), were injured in the attack. As the situation deteriorated, the ASI was forced to open fire in the air in self-defense.
Details Of The Raid
According to reports, ASI Dhirendra Kumar was on patrol on Tuesday evening when he received a secret tip-off that country liquor was being sold at the house of Naval Rai (son of late Mosadi Rai) in Ward No. 8 of Paharpur West. Upon verifying the information, the ASI reached the spot with a police force. Seeing the police, seven to eight people sitting in a shed adjacent to the house started fleeing. With the help of the force, the police managed to apprehend two individuals.
Suspects Identified
The detained individuals were identified as Sonu Kumar (son of Naval Rai) and Bijli Rai (son of Yogi Rai), both residents of Paharpur West, Jurawanpur police station, Vaishali district. During interrogation, both confessed to consuming alcohol. Meanwhile, another individual managed to escape after pushing the police and dumping a jerrycan of country liquor on the ground. The detained Bijli Rai identified the escapee as Naval Rai.
Mob Violence And Escape Of Detainees
When the police began recording a video of the liquor container, a crowd of 30–35 people gathered. The mob started scuffling with the police to rescue the two detained men. Although the police managed to seat the detainees in their vehicle, the mob blocked the way with a cart and started pelting stones and bricks. Constable Sunil Kumar Singh, female constable Monika Kumari, and ASI Dhirendra Kumar were injured in this attack. The mob did not stop there; about 20–25 people climbed onto the police vehicle and succeeded in freeing both detained individuals. ASI Dhirendra Kumar stated that 5–6 people surrounded him and launched a life-threatening attack using fists and sticks.
ASI Fires In Self-Defense
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, the ASI repeatedly warned the crowd, but they began threatening to snatch his weapon. To save his life, ASI Dhirendra Kumar fired one round in the air from his service pistol. The firing caused the mob to disperse slightly, allowing the police team to escape and reach the police station. On the way, they met the Station House Officer (SHO) arriving with additional force. All the injured personnel were taken to the Raghavpur Primary Health Center in Fatehpur for treatment.
FIR Lodged And Investigation Underway
Following treatment, an FIR was registered based on the ASI's statement against 10 named individuals, 3 to 4 unknown women, and 15 to 20 unknown men. The named accused include Naval Rai, Rama Rai, Sunny Kumar, Vikram Rai, Om Prakash Rai, Mukesh Rai, and Naval Rai's wife Maya Kumari, among others. Jurawanpur SHO Abhishek Kumar Ojha stated that continuous raids are being conducted to arrest the accused.