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Patna, June 21: A middle-aged man was shot at during a clash between Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawans and residents of Sonbarsa in Sitamarhi district today at a border outpost under Kanhauli police station, 225km north of Patna.
The injured, identified as Ram Shrestha Mahto, has been admitted to a private nursing home in Sitamarhi.
This is the second incident in a month in Sitamarhi district when SSB jawans fired at residents.
Reports said Mahto, a resident of Etaharwa village, was detained by SSB jawans, while he was trying to enter Nepal with bags containing fertiliser on a bicycle late Wednesday evening.
As the news of Mahto’s detention reached his native village on Thursday morning, a group of residents reached the nearby border outpost and pressurised the SSB jawans to let him go.
The SSB personnel, however, were adamant on handing him over to Kanhauli police for necessary action.
Agitated over the action, the residents pelted stones on the border outpost, leading to firing. Mahto suffered bullet injury when he was trying to escape from the custody.
“The mob was adamant on setting the outpost on fire and beat up the personnel manning it,” said an assistant commandant of the 20th battalion of the SSB.
On getting the information, senior police and administrative officers, including Sitamarhi superintendent of police (SP) Vivek Kumar, rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the agitators. “The injured was first admitted to Narpatganj primary health centre and then shifted to Sitamarhi for better treatment,” Kumar said.
The SP added that the cops posted at the adjoining police stations were put on alert and asked to intensify patrolling in villages considered vulnerable from the security point of view. “Those involved in smuggling and other illegal activities try to exploit the situation. That is why instructions have been issued to keep a close watch on such elements,” he told The Telegraph.
The SP said a case has been lodged at Kanhauli police station in connection with the firing.
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