Murders Spark Widespread Riots in Muzaffarpur, Samastipur
Muzaffarpur: December 17, 2005
Abductions and subsequent murders of three men in Muzaffarpur and another in Samastipur district resulted in an all-out riot in both districts as thousands of protestors on Friday blocked the National Highway 102 while also destroying a number of shops and vehicles in Muzaffarpur demanding arrests of the culprits and monetary compensation for the victims' families.
Situation became volatile just after the villagers in Muzaffarpur discovered the badly mutilated body of 22-year old Chandan Kumar, the son of a bank employee S. N. Chowdhary who was abducted on November 22 from under the Maripur bridge, the police said.
Meanwhile, the news of the murders of two youths just few kilometers away in Saraiya early Friday morning didn't help the situation either. Thousands of men and women chanting anti-police slogans went on a rampage damaging over a dozen shops and a number of vehicles in Moti Jheel, Gola Road, and Kalyani areas.
The administration rushed the anti-riot vehicle and resorted to lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. At least half a dozen people were said to be hurt in the commotion and had to be taken to hospitals for minor injuries, the police said.
All this time, similar drama was unfolding in Samastipur where the body of Ramesh Rai, the son of businessman was discovered. At least one person was injured when the police fired tear gas shells. Three others received injuries due to lathi charge the police had to resort to disperse the crowd.
Till late Friday evening, rallies were being held in Kashipur, Sonevarsha, and Vikrampur areas for the arrests of the killers of Ramesh.
With situation described as extremely volatile, security has been heightened in both Muzaffarpur and Samastipur.
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