Tension Grips Bihar Village after three Burnt to Death

Patna, Jan 19 (IANS) 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 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 Muslim dominated Ajitpur Bahilwara village after the body of a 20-year-old Hindu boy was recovered Sunday. He was allegedly abducted and killed for his love affair with a Muslim girl.

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.

Additional Director General of police headquarters Gupteshwar Pandey, who has been camping in Muzaffarpur, about 70 km from here, said that 14 people have been arrested in connection with the clash and more arrests would take place.

"Additional security forces have been deployed in the village in view of the tension," Pandey said.