Opp up in arms in council over rising crime graph

Patna: Bihar legislative council on Tuesday witnessed noisy scenes over the growing incidents of crime in various parts of the state, particularly in Khagaria and Rohtas districts. As soon as the House assembled for the day’s scheduled business, NDA members demanded special debate on the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar.
BJP member Lal Babu Prasad moved an adjournment motion and said the recent cases of atrocities on the dalits at Nayagaon village in Khagaria district and mass rape of dalit sisters in Rohtas district was a reminder of ‘jungle raj’ in Bihar.
Amid slogan-shouting, NDA members, including Rajnish Kumar, Lal Babu Prasad, Sanjay Mayukh, Nutan Singh (LJP) and Sanjeev Shyam Singh (independent) entered the well of the House with placards. Despite the chairman’s request to raise the matter during zero hour, they continued shouting slogans. Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh had to adjourn the House till the lunch break.
Later, talking to reporters, leader of opposition in the council Sushil Kumar Modi said around 150-200 ‘dabang’ people of Nayagaon village attacked the dalit dwellings a few days back. Over 20 dalits sustained injuries. “During their operation, attackers molested the womenfolk and looted their belongings. They did not even spare their goats and other pet animals,” Modi said and added that more than 50 dalit family members were taking shelter at a school building in nearby Odiyashi village. They apprehend further attack.
He said 53 suspected persons have been named accused. Modi said barely two or three persons had been arrested. “We have demanded immediate rehabilitation of the victims, adequate police protection to them, one month’s ration and arrest of the attackers. Similarly, two dalit sisters were gang-raped at gunpoint by several youths at Chandanshahid Pir under the muffasil police station area in Rohtas district on July 15. He said the two sisters and their 18-year-old brother were returning to their village after offering puja at Tarachandi temple.
Modi said the district administration tried its best to manipulate this case. “When the National SC/ST Commission team reached the spot to inquire into the incident, the victims’ brother, who was the only eyewitness, was not produced before the team members. In Supaul district, three mukhiyas were kidnapped in the last 15 days, he alleged.