Female constable among four cops injured while enforcing lockdown

Motihari (Bihar), Apr 29 () Four police personnel,including a female constable, were injured when they wereattacked on Wednesday at a village in East Champaran districtby locals who grew livid over reprimand from the law enforcersfor loitering around in defiance of the lockdown, a seniorofficial said.

Superintendent of Police, East Champaran, Naveen ChandraJha, said 40 people have been arrested so far in connectionwith the attack on the police party at Sirasi Bazar underPakri Dayal police station that took place during the day.

He said the injured personnel were part of a seven-memberpolice party which was attacked when in the course ofpatrolling they rebuked men and women who were spotted roamingaround on motorcycles and on foot.

The loiterers picked up sticks and rods from the waysideand attacked the police party, seriously injuring four whileother received bruises, the SP said. adding that all thegrievously wounded police personnel have been admitted to ahospital.

Jha also said raids were continuing to identify and nabmore culprits and that police was also investigating as towhether some of the attackers were involved in illegal liquortrade who might have been frustrated over demolition ofdistilleries in the village a few days ago.

Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned inthe state by the Nitish Kumar government four years ago.

This is the second instance, within a fortnight, ofgovernment officials being attacked in the district whiletrying to implement coronavirus-induced lockdown.

On April 15, a block development officer and threepolice personnel were injured in a similar attack by villagersin Harsidhi police station area. CORR NACSNS SNS