A mob in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Monday stripped a woman naked, paraded her and beat her up, on suspicion that she was involved in the killing of a 19-year-old man. The assault took place after locals in Bihiya police station area found the body of Vimalesh Sah, who had gone missing, near a railway track, Bhojpur Superintendent of Police Avakash Kumar told PTI.
Bhojpur District Magistrate Sanjeev Kumar said 15 people have been arrested for their alleged role in the case. “We have video of 200 people in connection with the incident of violence and 60 in connection with stripping and thrashing the woman,” ANI quoted the district magistrate as saying.
Residents of Sah’s village, Damodarpur, rushed to the spot, the police officer said. Later, suspecting someone from a red-light area of having committed a murder, they set several shops on fire and beat up many residents. Soon, they dragged a woman out to the street, stripped her naked and paraded her while kicking and slapping her, the superintendent of police added.
The mob also pelted stones at a passing train and the police had to fire in the air to bring it under control. The police official said a case will be registered against the attackers, and added that police presence in the area has been strengthened.
The National Commission for Women has directed Bihar Director General of Police KS Dwivedi to apprise it of the action being taken in the case, PTI reported quoting an unidentified official.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav alleged that there was lawlessness in the state under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and called for his resignation.
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