The death of a 20-year-old on Wednesday, who attended a Border Security Force (BSF) recruitment camp on July 1 has given the Opposition a stick to beat the state with.

Shyam Narayan (20), popular as Sikku Raj and a resident of Murera village in Gaya, was admitted to a private hospital in Patna since July 2, allegedly after being assaulted by policemen in Kishanganj. But the police hinted at a drug overdose. Chief minister Nitish Kumar said: "Every angle related to the case will be probed by two senior IPS and IAS officers," Nitish said. Reports say the Centre has asked the DG (BSF) to constitute a board of inquiry to probe the death.

Sikku's father Amrendra Narayan, a farmer, said: "Sikku, who lived in Patna, had gone to the BSF recruitment camp in Kishanganj on July 1. He returned next day and was admitted to PMCH with severe stomach pain. I rushed to Patna next day and we took him to a private hospital. Doctors there said his kidneys were damaged and transferred him to another private hospital. He told me the policemen beat him black and blue."

Leaders made a beeline. Pappu Yadav said: "Was Nitish sleeping all these days?" He said Nitish had time to meet JDU MLC candidate Anil Yadav, hospitalised in PMCH, but not a critical Sikku. He has called a Bihar Bandh on July 11."I'm amazed BJP leaders are not protesting. I'll request like-minded parties to join our bandh," he said. He gave Rs 1 lakh to Sikku's family and announced Rs 4 lakh more. The BJP demanded a thorough probe while announcing Rs 10 lakh for Sikku's family.

"We have informed Union home minister Rajnath Singh and requested constitution of a joint probe team comprising men from the state police and the BSF," BJP senior leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.

Former chief minister and Hindustani Awan Morcha Secular (HAMS) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi sought President's rule in Bihar. HAMS leader Nitish Mishra said law and order had collapsed in Bihar.

Kishanganj SP Rajeev Ranjan said a special investigating team (SIT) had been formed. "He came to the BSF camp on July 1. It seems he did drugs to increase stamina. Mid-way into the race, he fainted. BSF men tried to revive him, but he began acting abnormally and refused to budge. We learnt some BSF men assaulted him. According to a statement by the BSF, the youth turned violent and they had to overpower him. He was forcefully admitted to a BSF hospital where he got into a scuffle with staff. The BSF took him to the town police station, but the latter refused his custody, asking for a written note. The BSF left Sikku behind but returned and took him away later, saying he must sign a rejection slip. A probe is on," the SP said.

The Bihar Human Rights Commission has sent the Kishanganj SP an urgent notice asking him to furnish correct information on the incident.