Bihar: Police open fire on villagers protesting irregular electricity supply, one dead

In Bihar, a tragic incident unfolded as police opened fire on villagers who were protesting against irregular electricity supply in Katihar’s Barsoi. As a result of the police action and gunfire, one person lost their life.

The villagers and local panchayat representatives had gathered peacefully at the Barsoi block office premises on Wednesday as part of a scheduled demonstration. However, during the protest, the situation took a sudden turn, and the demonstrators became agitated.

Reports indicate that some aggressive youths resorted to stone-pelting and vandalized the electricity department’s office. In an attempt to control the agitated crowd, the police first resorted to a lathi-charge and then resorted to firing, resulting in three people being shot, according to reports.

Katihar SP, Jitendra Kumar, has confirmed one fatality and two injuries in the incident.

Following the tragic event, opposition leaders in Bihar strongly criticized the government for its authoritarian and dictatorial behavior, demanding the resignation of those in power.

According to the police, a violent protest took place at the Barsoi sub-divisional office premises, located about 100 meters east of the police station at around 12:30 PM. The protest was organized by nearly a thousand local citizens, voicing their grievances over the alleged electricity issues.

As per the police statement, during the course of the demonstration, anti-social elements joined the crowd and attacked the electricity department’s staff.

Upon receiving information about the situation, the police team reached the electricity department’s office to restore order. However, they were met with aggression from the unruly elements who attacked them with lathis, sticks, bricks, and stones. The police initially warned the troublemakers, but when the situation remained uncontrolled and the attack persisted, they had to resort to limited and controlled firing to protect the electricity workers and themselves.

The police further stated that during the incident, one person from the unruly mob lost their life, and two others were injured. Approximately a dozen police personnel and electricity department employees were also injured in the attack. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Sub-Divisional Hospital, Barsoi.