Seven policemen were beaten up by supporters of Chiraila mukhiya (village head) Surajdev Yadav, who was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly trying to kill his predecessor.

Police said Surajdev’s supporters swooped down on Belaganj police station, around 25km from the district headquarters, and assaulted the men in uniform on duty. They pelted stones at the police station and fired at least 20 rounds in the air.

“The security personnel used batons and fired in the air to drive away the assailants. Around 25 of them were arrested,” additional superintendent of police Shafi-ul Haque said.

Surajdev was arrested for allegedly firing at Jitendra Yadav, the former headman of Chiraila panchayat. Jitendra suffered bullet injuries and is admitted to a hospital. The police said Surajdev was accused of killing Jitendra’s cousin and was out of jail on bail. Surajdev was also allegedly involved in the murder of four uncles of Jitendra.