US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

3 killed, 28 injured in violence at army recruitment drive

Army recruitment drives in two adjoining districts of Bihar today turned violent when some of the aspirants got annoyed and resorted to firing and throwing brickbats, killing three persons and injuring 28.

A recruitment drive at Chapra saw the death of two youths in a clash between the police and some of the aspirants. Fifteen persons were injured in the violence, which began when some of the 50,000 or so aspirants got irritated at their tests getting delayed owing to the high turnout of job-seekers at the Rajendra Stadium.

When some of them began throwing bricks, police resorted to a mild baton charge. "The forces were later forced to fire 25 rounds in the air to disperse the mob," Home Commissioner U N Panjiyar told reporters in Patna.

The mob ran amuck, pelting stones at the residence of the police commissioner, district magistrate and superintendent of police. They also ransacked the Chapra court, police station and an office of the state electricity department.

In a similar episode in nearby Darbhanga, trouble broke out when several of the 35,000 youths who had assembled from different parts of the state came to know that the recruitment drive was meant only for those from the district.

Annoyed, some of them began throwing stones at the security personnel and even opened fire.

A youth was killed in the melee when he fell into a gorge near the Darbhanga airport ground, where the drive was taking place.

Of the 13 injured, a major, a subedar, an assistant sub-inspector and two constables were admitted to hospital in serious condition. Eight other youths, who also received bullet injuries, were admitted to Darbhanga Medical College Hospital.

Sources said the mob snatched the service revolver of ASI B K Pandey and fired at him. He was admitted to hospital in a critical state. Also injured were Major Sinha Roy, Subedar B D Roy and two constables.

"The mob went on the rampage and damaged some 50 vehicles, including two army jeeps. Disorder prevailed for some time and it was a harrowing experience for the public," the home department official said.

A detailed report has been sought from the authorities in both districts, Panjiyar added.

A report from Darbhanga said the officer in charge of the recruitment drive, Colonel S K Joshi, has lodged a complaint with the police against the mob violence.

Both the recruitment drives were discontinued after the incidents. Slated to begin today and continue till July 21, their new dates will be announced after further orders.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

Tell us what you think of this report