Trucks set on fire by villagers in Sasaram on Friday. Picture by Sanjay Choudhary

Patna, Oct. 21: A speeding dumper today knocked down and killed four persons in Sasaram, sparking anger among residents who burnt 17 vehicles to protest police inaction. One of the four killed was a six-year-old boy.

The four victims riding on two motorcycles died on the spot after being knocked down at Gaurakshini on Sasaram-Nokha road. Cops allegedly allowed the dumper to enter the prohibited area in lieu of money.

Residents of Gaurakshini said the entry of heavy vehicles in urban area is prohibited from 9am to 7pm. “Despite the ban on the entry of trucks, the cops on duty often allow the vehicles to pass through the busy road after being obliged by transporters and drivers,” said a practising lawyer of Sasaram court.

The dumper crushed Bhaji Singh (40), Vijay Kumar (35) and Yuvraj (6) under its wheels. The killer vehicle hit the motorcycle of the other deceased — Brij Nandan Singh (45) — after its driver lost control over it while fleeing.

The dumper was set on fire. But its driver managed to escape.

The death of the motorcyclists, including the six-year-old boy, sparked off tension in the area. The residents came on the streets, blocked the road and set 17 vehicles, including eight trucks, eight dumpers and a jeep, on fire by the time the district magistrate and the superintendent of police reached the spot.

The protesters also paralysed the railway traffic. Several trains, including Purushottam Express, Gaya-Mughalsarai passenger train and Barkakana-Mughalsarai passenger train remained stranded for several hours at different stations.

When the police tried to intervene, the mob turned violent and started pelting stones. The police had to flee as the protesters outnumbered them.

Apprehending the situation might go out of control, reinforcements were sought from the headquarters at Dehri-on-Sone. Anti-riot vehicle Vijra was also summoned.

The situation worsened when the police tried to lift the road blockade. Initially, the cops resorted to lathicharge. But as the protesters were not in a mood to relent, the police had to burst teargas shells to disperse the mob.

“The situation is tense but under control,” said Rohtas district magistrate Anupam Kumar.

He said about 20 rounds of teargas shells were fired to bring the situation under control. He denied the report of police firing and said suitable legal action would be taken against those indulging in arson and road blockade.

Rohtas superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said efforts were on to ascertain the identity of the troublemakers with the help of video footage.

Sasaram sub-divisional police officer Vishwajeet Dayal said two separate FIRs had been lodged in connection with the incident. The first FIR is related to the death of the four persons. The other deals with mob violence.

There has been a spurt in mob violence in the state in the recent past. At least 10 such incidents have been reported from across the state in the past two months.

On Wednesday, residents of Akodi Gola and its adjoining villages in Rohtas district had virtually laid a siege to Akodi Gola police station in protest against the murder of a middle-aged woman.

The same day, Siwan witnessed mob violence over the death of three persons.