1 dead in Madhubani violence

PATNA: A 50-year-old man died and several others were injured when the Madhubani district administration tried to confiscate an ancient Shivlinga in Khojpur village under the Babubarahi police station area in the district on Thursday.
Seven vehicles, including a heavy earthmoving machine, a fire tender and two bikes, were torched by the villagers opposing the confiscation of the Shivalinga.One vehicle was of Phulparas DSP Umeshwar Chaudhary, another of Babubarahi BDO Mohd Murshid Ansari and yet another of Babubarahi police station.
Reports reaching the district HQ said a large number of security forces had reached the village to seize the Shivalinga in the dead of night around 2am, but villagers somehow got wind of it. Soon a mob assembled.
“Sensing the violent mood of the agitators, the administration had to withdraw from the village without executing the confiscation order,” an eyewitness said, adding five constables were injured as the villagers pelted them with stones.
Madhubani DM Kapil Ashok Shirsat said the Shivalinga was recovered from the Koshi canal, near Bela village adjacent to Khujpur, on April 5 this year.
“The centuries-old Shivalinga was found by a Khujpur villager, but people of Bela wanted to have it in a temple in their village. Tension was brewing for the last two months, and several peace committee meetings were held. Senior villagers gave it in writing that the administration should better confiscate it,” the DM said, adding the Shivalinga was recovered from a government plot.
According to the DM, the deceased was identified as Mangu Saw. He died after colliding with a vehicle during the violence. An ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh and an additional help of Rs 20,000 for his cremation have been given to his family, the DM said, adding an FIR had been lodged against unknown people in this connection.
The situation was reported to be tense, but under control. The Shivalinga was still with the Khujpur villagers. A large number of security forces have been deployed in the area to maintain peace.