Patna, Sept. 14: Over a dozen persons, including five women, were seriously injured after police beat them up near Chandasi village under Noorsarai police station in Nalanda district on Wednesday. The victims have been admitted to private nursing homes at Biharsharif for treatment.

Trouble erupted when a group of people, including women, gheraoed the Noorsarai police station protesting against the police’s failure to trace a woman, who has been missing since August 25, this year. The family members apprehended that the woman, identified as Reena alias Sushma, had been killed.

The agitators were demanding the arrest of assistant sub-inspector of police Ashok Singh, who was allegedly involved in the incident. They went on the rampage when the police tried to disperse them. The protesters started stone pelting, causing minor injuries to the police.

Subsequently, the police resorted to lathicharge in which over a dozen persons, including women were injured. The incident occurred when the DIG, central range, had gone to the Noorsarai police station to inquire into the case on the directive of the state police headquarters.

Nalanda superintendent of police Jitendra Singh Rana could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated attempts.

Reacting the assault on women, RJD leader Ram Kripal Yadav demanded action against the policemen involved in lathicharge on the protestors.