Violence erupted in parts of Bihar’s capital Patna on Friday after a man was crushed to death by a speeding bus in the Badi Pahadi area, triggering anger among local residents and bringing traffic movement in the area to a standstill.
The incident took place under the jurisdiction of the Agamkuan police station. Following the death, agitated locals reportedly blocked the road and smashed the windows of the bus before setting the vehicle on fire. The situation soon escalated into widespread violence, with protesters clashing with police personnel deployed to control the crowd.
The unrest resulted in a traffic jam stretching for nearly 10 kilometres. Additional police forces were rushed to the area as authorities attempted to disperse the protesters and restore normal traffic movement.
The situation further deteriorated when protesters allegedly pelted stones at the police and attacked the Agamkuan police station. The police station was subsequently set on fire, while three police vehicles were also torched, intensifying the tension in the area.
A police official said only three personnel were initially deployed at the police station when the mob attacked the premises.
“Three personnel were deployed here when the police station was torched. They smashed everything inside it. It seems they were the locals. The ACP met the agitators but the violence continued,” the official told India TV.
Senior officials, including Patna City Sub-Divisional Magistrate Satyam Sahay, reached the spot to assess the situation and oversee efforts to restore law and order.
Sahay said the body of the deceased had been removed from the road and vehicular movement had been restored. He also said an investigation was underway to identify those responsible for the violence.
“A road accident occurred. Following the accident, the road was blocked using the deceased's body, and acts of violence took place during this time,” Sahay told news agency ANI.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed by the police.
Local residents alleged that the poor condition of the road and the speed of the bus contributed to the fatal accident. They claimed the bus was travelling at high speed when it struck the man.
“The road is not in a good condition. The bus was in speed. The commuters in the bus were not harmed, they were likely from the nearby villages. The violence happened after the man died. The locals smashed the bus and set it on fire,” a local resident told Uday India.
Police presence has been significantly increased in the area to prevent further escalation. Authorities are also working to restore normal vehicular movement and identify those involved in the arson, stone-pelting and attacks on public property.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety, traffic management and the condition of roads in densely populated parts of Patna. Further action is expected after the police complete their investigation into both the fatal accident and the subsequent violence.
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