Nitish Yatra: 7 Bihar cops suspended

Seven cops were suspended in Bihar for "dereliction of duty" though police have not officially confirmed that it was linked to a violent protest against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Khagaria district on Thursday.

The seven cops suspended are sub-inspectors, media reports said Sunday.

According to an NDTV report, the move followed after it was confirmed that the seven officers were "prime facie found missing in action during the incident."

The Bihar Police on Saturday said they have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the violent protests that took place during Nitish Kumar´s ´Adhikar Yatra´ in Khagaria district on Thursday.

A Superintendent of Police (SP)-rank officer Shiv Kumar Jha will head the SIT.

As many as 35 people were arrested in connection with the attack on Kumar´s convoy, the police said.

The police said a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against 75 named accused and 600 unknown persons for torching vehicles, damaging government property and arson.

Ranvir Yadav, who is the husband of Janata Dal United (JDU) MLA Poonam Yadav, snatched a carbine from his wife´s bodyguard to threaten and disperse the protesters who were shouting slogans against Kumar in Khagaria district on Thursday.

Yadav also fired in the sir to disperse the crowd, reports said.

However, no action has been taken against him so far.

Nitish Kumar, who had undertaken the ´Adhikar Yatra´ this week, faced protests in several parts of the state including Motihari, Begusarai and Khagaria.

Contractual para-teachers showed slippers and protested against Kumar in Begusarai.

Kumar started the yatra to pressurize the Centre to meet his demand for special status for the state.