Residents are feeling the police heat in the run-up to the Assembly elections but apparently for the wrong reason.

Police here are shooting off notices to residents at random, charging them under Section 107 (apprehension of breach of peace). In several instances, notices have been served upon minors and ailing persons.

Shyama Devi of Piparpanti locality in Nathnagar said her son, Ashok Sah, had been living in Jamui for the past four years but his name has popped up in the list of persons who have been served the police notice.

Similarly, one Guddu Tanti migrated to Faridabad around six years ago but his name finds mention on the list too. Sama Devi (70), a resident of Nastarkhani, has been suffering from chronic diseases, which have turned her immobile. Her name, too, appears on the list of persons who can disturb peace during elections.

Bhagalpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vivek Kumar said: "The police have no intention of harassing any innocent person. The complaints would be investigated into and the names of innocent persons would be deleted from the list prepared by different police stations."

Lalkothi residents accused the police of targeting innocent people. "The name of Anuj Kumar, who hails from the locality but now stays in US, has been put on the list," alleged one of his family members.

"I was surprised to find a notice from the court of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Bhagalpur, under Section 107 IPC. I don't have any criminal antecedent," said Binay Shanker (27), a medical representative and a resident of Gola Ghat.

"Now, I have to obtain bail from the SDM's court, apart from furnishing a personal release bond. During the poll time, I would have to register my presence in court every third day. Else, the court would issue warrant against me," he added.

Family members of Class VI student Tinku Kumar (16) were shocked to find his name on the list. "He is a minor and has no connection with any controversy. But this action would hamper his career," said a family member.

Irked by the alleged callousness of the police in drawing up the list, residents, including a sizeable number of women, staged a protest outside the Lalmatiya police station on Sunday evening.

The protesters also blocked NH-80 for over an hour. Finally, on the assurance of the inspector-cum-station house officer, Nathnagar police station, Kaisar Alam, the blockade was lifted.

The field officials, said a source, in their zeal of serving notices to as many people as possible made the list leading to such faux pas.