Patna: Patna police in the name of enforcing prohibition had allegedly beaten up Mahadalit women who had later taken shelter at Nari Gunjan, an NGO run by social activist and Padma Shri recipient Sudha Varghese.

The incident came to light on Friday after Varghese threatened to approach Patna district magistrate and even the high court against police atrocities.

"The incident occurred on Tuesday after Naubatpur police raided Raunia Mushari at Naubatpur. The police not only took away four male members on alleged charges of brewing country liquor but also beat up women who were protesting against police atrocities," Varghese said. "The women claimed that there are farmers growing pulses in the area, but the police in connivance with some rich landlords are targeting Mahadalits to grab their land."

More than a dozen women scared after the incident had taken shelter at Nari Gunjan's hostels where girls from the most downtrodden castes of Bihar live and study.

Varghese said: "Most of the women were scared after the incident and even afraid of returning home. We convinced them to return."

She also blamed Naubatpur police for threatening poor people. Out of four person detained, the cops have let three go, and one has been sent to jail.

Naubatpur police station house officer Ramakant Tiwari denied that any women were beaten up, and said the police had come under attack during the raid.