Bihar CM meets communal clash victims

Patna, Jan 21 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Wednesday visited Muzaffarpur district's Azizpur village, where three days ago a mob killed five people triggering a communal clash.

"All possible help would be provided to the affected people. Now peace has returned to the village and there is no fear or tension," Manjhi said while interacting with the victims. He was accompanied by state police chief P.K. Thakur.

Manjhi also announced that a police station will be set up in the village.

The chief minister said doctors would continue to camp in the village for the next three months and the government would soon set up a primary health centre in the village.

On Sunday, hundreds of people attacked the village after a 20-year-old Hindu boy's body was found. The boy was allegedly abducted and killed over his love affair with a Muslim girl.

A first information report was registered Monday against 2,000 unidentified people. Police have so far arrested 14 people in connection with the case.

Soon after the incident, Manjhi asked Home Secretary Sudhir Kumar and Additional Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey to launch a probe into the case. Pandey Tuesday submitted the report to the government.

The BJP, meanwhile, demanded a judicial commission to probe the killings.

Former chief minister Lalu Prasad also met the victims Wednesday and demanded six months free ration to 73 families affected by the clashes.

"The government should provide compensation to the people whose houses were torched and damaged by rioters. I will ensure that the victims get all compensation soon," the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief said.