Naxalites gun down 16 in Bihar

5 children among victims; massive manhunt on

 
Khagaria superintendent of police Indranand Mishra said around 45 Naxalites descended on Amousi, tied up the 16 villagers, including five children, and shot them in cold blood.
As the victims lay in a pool of blood, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. But such was the public outcry that he had to beat a hasty retreat.

A massive manhunt has been launched for the marauders. Ten persons, suspected to be involved in the gruesome incident, have been apprehended.

Additional director general (ADG headquarters) Neelmani said those arrested had links with different Naxal groups. “Prima facie, land dispute seems to be the reason for the killings,” he added.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the police top brass for the worsening law and order situation in the state.

“The situation is alarming and it is turning from bad to worse,” quipped Lalu in Patna.
Meanwhile, Nitish, condemning the incident, said that under no circumstances the perpetrators of such heinous crime would be spared. “I have asked the DGP to immediately trace and book the culprits,” he added.

LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan, who is a native of Khagaria, demanded a judicial probe by a retired judge into the carnage.