Pick-up van crushes two

Madhepura (PTI): Two persons died in an accident on Madhepura-Singheshwar road in the district on Wednesday.

The mishap took place near Madhepura district headquarters as a speeding pick-up van crushed two persons to death, deputy superintendent of police Dwarika Pal said. The accident sparked a protest by residents who torched two vehicles, including a police jeep, the officer said.

The residents set the pick-up van on fire in protest against the incident. The deputy superintendent of police said the protesters torched his jeep when he rushed to the spot to pacify them. Pal said additional police personnel were requisitioned to bring the law and order situation under control. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and efforts were on to ascertain the identity of the victims.

Relief for gangster

Patna: A Sheikhpura court on Wednesday acquitted Ashok Mahto, a gangster of Nawada, in a case related to the murder of former MP and senior congress leader Rajo Singh. Singh was killed allegedly by unidentified gunmen while attending a party workers’ meeting in Sheikhpura town on September 9, 2005. Additional district and sessions judge (II) Keshav Murty Tiwari acquitted Mahto in the murder case for lack of evidence. Mahto’s counsel Sanjeev Kumar Singh said around 15 witnesses were examined during the trial but none of them supported the prosecution. Mahto was made a non-FIR accused in the case, he added.

Loan camp

Patna: Punjab National Bank on Wednesday organised a camp to settle loan amount of Rs 101 lakh. Around Rs 5.01 lakh was collected from loan takers during the camp, a bank press note said. Senior officials of the bank, including circle head A.K. Dargan were also present on this occasion.

Food review

Patna: Food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak on Wednesday directed the department officials to ensure early completion of godowns meant for storage of foodgrain. He issued the directive while chairing a review meeting of the department that was convened to discuss the storage problem, an official media note said.

Appointment

Patna: Radheshwar Singh has been made the convener of freedom fighters’ cell of Congress party. A media note stated state party president Ashok Kumar Choudhary made the appointment. Singh would assume charge with immediate effect.

Inspection

Patna: The state Congress on Wednesday reviewed the preparations for a statewide agitation. Party leaders also took stock of the preparations for the June 15 protest programme to be held here. A media note said the agitation programme has been planned to raise issues concerning people.

 

Suicide

Begusarai (PTI): A woman (40), along with two of her minor sons, on Wednesday committed suicide by jumping in front of a speeding train near Lakho station on Begusarai-Khagaria section in the district, government railway police sources said. The accident took place near Lakho village.