A village chowkidar (informer) in Buxar town was burnt to death by a mob on Wednesday night after residents set the Industrial police station on fire in protest against a road accident.

Earlier in the evening, a speeding truck crushed to death five persons near the Town roundabout while trying to escape a police patrol car. Irate residents of Buxar town, around 100km west of Patna, first assembled at the Ganga bridge outpost and set it on fire. Later, a section ran towards the Industrial police station and set it ablaze. An anti-riot vehicle sent in to control the situation was also torched.

Police said the charred body of the chowkidar, Madan Yadav, was recovered around 5am on Thursday. The body was found among the debris of the police station, which by then was razed to the ground.

Buxar superintendent of police (SP) Upendra Kumar Sharma confirmed Madan's death in the attack.

Sub-divisional officer Awadesh Anand said Madan got caught in the fire and suffered injuries. As the chaos continued for several hours, nobody could spot him and his body was recovered on Thursday. Anand added documents stored at the Industrial police station were also burnt attack.

Trouble in the town started around 8.30pm on Wednesday when a truck coming from Bypass Road hit an Ambassador while trying to flee a police patrol car. The truck's driver first hit the Ambassador near Town roundabout and then a sports utility vehicle and an autorickshaw. Passengers in the auto received severe injuries and were admitted to the Sadar hospital. Apprehending trouble, the driver abandoned the truck near Ganga bridge police outpost and fled.

The police said three persons, who were run over, have been identified as Dharmendra Singh, Chhotak Singh and Bharat alias Sanjay Upadhyay.

As the mob went on the rampage in protest against the accident, sources claimed the police opened fire to disperse the protesters. The Buxar SP, however, denied the report.

Buxar district magistrate Raman Kumar said financial help, under various government schemes, has been provided to the kin of the deceased to facilitate their last rites.

Woman set on fire

A woman was allegedly set on fire when she protested a molestation bid at Abdulpur village of Aurangabad on Thursday evening. Police said the victim was referred to a Gaya-based hospital as she had suffered over 50 per cent burn injuries.