Two children got drowned in a river where illegal sand mining is rampant, sparking protest by locals who set fire to eight vehicles in Sherghati area of Gaya district today, police said.
Magadh Range DIG Saurabh Kumar confirmed the incident and said the villagers alleged that a deep ditch was created in the river following illegal sand mining in the river that led to drowning of the children.
The bodies of the children -- Ankit (12) and Anand (8) -- have been fished out of the river, the DIG said, adding that the deceased are from Kathar Mahuanwa village under Sherghati police station of the district.
On getting information about the incident, local people set on fire a tractor, four trucks, a police vehicle and two other machines used in sand mining.
City Superintendent of Police Awakash Kumar is camping at the site.
