Patna: Tension gripped Lakhisarai after a youth was killed in a violent clash between two groups of people at Naya Bazar under the jurisdiction of Kawaiya police station of the district, around 140km northeast of Patna, late on Friday evening.

Police said Deepak Sao, alias Chhotu (20), a resident of Ashtaghatti Pokhar, suffered bullet injuries when he had gone to the local market for some work. A stray bullet hit his chest when he was standing near a fast-food vend, leading to his death during treatment at Lakhisarai Sadar hospital late at night.

As the news of the death reached his native village, a group of people assembled on the road and raised anti-government slogans. They later paralysed the traffic and indulged in arson and vandalism. Senior police officers intervened to contain the situation.

Lakhisarai superintendent of police assured the deceased's family members of justice. "Instructions have been given to the station house officer to bring the accused to the book at the earliest. In addition, the case will be put on speedy trial," the SP told The Telegraph over phone.

Lakhisarai sub-divisional police officer Pankaj Kumar said the incident was the fallout of an old enmity between Heera Sao and Sudhir Sao. Yesterday, the supporters of the two rivals exchanged fire, causing bullet injuries to a passer-by.

The incident triggered protests in the town, as the passer-by had nothing to do with the clash between the rivals. The deceased's father, Bhadai Sao, earlier told this newspaper that Deepak, popularly called Chhotu, had left home around 8pm on Friday saying that he would return home within half-an-hour. He had taken Rs 50 from his sister, Kanchan, to have chowmein at a fast-food vend.

Within 15 minutes, a local resident told Sao that his son had been killed. "I could not believe that my son, who had left home barely 20 minutes ago, was no more. " Is shahar ko kya ho gaya hai? Roj murder ho raha hai. Prashashan ki pakar dhili par gayee hai (What has gone wrong with this town? Murders are taking place every day. The administration has loosened its grip over anti-socials," said the hapless father.

Official statistics showed that 40 people have been killed in Lakhisarai district since January this year.

The highest number of seven murders was reported from the district in April this year. Ten women were raped in the district between January and October this year.