Maner clash over molestation row leaves six injured; 11 held

Patna: Six people were injured, including two who sustained bullet wounds, in a violent clash between two groups over the alleged molestation of a girl at Chhihattar village under Maner police station area in Patna district on Sunday morning. Police have arrested 11 people so far in connection with the incident, though the firearm used in the firing is yet to be recovered.According to villagers, 7-8 rounds of firing were reported during the incident. Acting on the information, police conducted raids and arrested 11 people, including Chhihattar mukhiya Shailesh Rai and seven women.The injured were identified as Rudal Kumar (22), Sandeep Kumar (16), Ranjit Rai (42), Harendra Rai (42), Rajkumar Rai (32) and Dharmendra Rai (45). All were initially taken to Maner PHC for treatment. Rudal and Sandeep, who suffered bullet injuries, were later referred to Patna for advanced treatment.“Sandeep sustained a bullet injury in his back, while Rudal was shot in the neck. An FIR has been lodged against 28 named accused and 45 unidentified persons,” said Maner SHO Rajneesh Kumar, adding that police received information about the incident around 9.30am and rushed the injured to hospital.Police said the clash stemmed from a month-old dispute related to the alleged molestation of a girl, for which a case had already been registered. The issue resurfaced on Sunday following an argument between Chittaranjan Rai and Rudal Kumar.The altercation soon escalated as members of both groups gathered at the spot. A violent clash followed, during which stones were pelted and members of one group allegedly opened fire. Police recovered three empty cartridges from the spot. A large police contingent was deployed in the village, and personnel had been camping there to prevent any further escalation.City SP (West) Sanket Kumar visited the village and reviewed the situation. He said police teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the firing. Confirming that Sandeep Kumar and Rudal Kumar had suffered bullet injuries, he said efforts were underway to arrest the remaining accused.He said, “The situation is currently under control. Efforts are on to identify and arrest the remaining accused, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”