Police are yet to ascertain the identity of the hooligans who went on the rampage in Patna a month ago on June 2 during the funeral procession of former Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh “Mukhiya”.

The police claimed to have arrested seven persons involved in the rampage and said two others surrendered before court under pressure. But most of the hoodlums are still at large.

Sources said let alone action, even the rioters’ identities have not been ascertained so far.

The state police headquarters had assigned the task to ascertain the identity of those involved in the incidents of arson, rioting and causing damage to public property on the streets of the capital on June 2 to Patna superintendent of police (rural) Manoj Kumar.

Subsequently, a 20-member team was set up to crack the cases on June 4. The special investigation team headed by Manoj succeeded in ascertaining the identity of nine persons, seven of whom were arrested, while two others surrendered before court.

Manoj claimed that the arrested have confessed their involvement in the rioting. “When we showed them the video footage, they had no option other than admitting their offences,” the SP (rural) said. He said even the clothes that they wore on June 2 have been seized and produced in court as evidence.

Director-general of police (DGP) Abhayanand, who was criticised from all quarters for allegedly not giving the police a free hand to deal with the situation, had announced that the identity of the hooligans, who created a reign of terror on the streets of the capital, would be put behind bars soon.

Abhayanand had also said those indulging in incidents of arson, beating up roadside vendors and causing damage to public and private properties would face speedy trial.

The DGP visited the office of Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) twice within a fortnight to review the progress of the cases. But majority of the hoodlums are still at large.

Deputy inspector-general (DIG-central range) Sunil Kumar, who reviewed the rioting cases last week, told The Telegraph: “The photographs of the hooligans have been sent to all police stations in the district so that their identities could be ascertained. Even some photographs have been published in newspapers. But the response of the citizens is awaited. In fact, the residents are reluctant to come forward to help the police.”

The residents said they have reasons not to disclose the identities of the troublemakers.

“Why should I reveal the identity of the troublemakers? Will the police provide security to us? Despite everything, we will have to live with them in the same locality,” said a resident of New Punaichak, which witnessed torching of a police camp on June 2.

On the other hand, the probe in the killing of Mukhiya at Katira village in Ara town is also going on at snail’s pace because the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is yet to take up the case. The special investigation team set up by the police headquarters has so far booked three suspects who are lodged in Ara divisional jail.