6 killed by truck; Mob attack police station, burn vehicles

Six persons were crushed to death and several others injured by a speeding truck, triggering violence in Buxar district after a mob torched a police station and damaged several vehicles in the area, an official said today.
The truck ran over and killed six persons including a 'chaukidar' and injured several others near a traffic roundabout on National Highway-84 under Industrial police station last night, Buxar District Magistrate Raman Kumar said.
The driver abandoned the vehicle and escaped. Efforts were made to nab him, he said.
Soon after the accident, Kumar said, several hundred irate locals assembled on the spot and torched an anti-riot vehicle that had been sent to control the mob.

Later, the people advanced towards Buxar police station and torched the station along with burning some of the government vehicles.
They also torched a check post over the Ganga Bridge in Buxar. A fire engine, which rushed to contain the flames, was also set ablaze.

The rampaging people attacked the police personnel and administrative officials as well as injured several policemen.
The violence continued for several hours before additional forces were rushed to the troubled area.
"The situation is normal now. Monetary help under various government schemes is being provided to the kin of the deceased to facilitate last rites. Four FIRs have been registered in the incident and we are trying to identify those resorted to violence and arson," Kumar said.

The estimate on the loss of government property was also being prepared. Heavy deployment of security personnel had been made in the affected area to maintain peace, he said.