Gaya: Violence during Thursday's anti-reservation bandh was pre-planned, says Gaya district magistrate (DM) Abhishekh Singh.

Bandh supporters had manhandled the Belaganj police station house officer, pelted the police station with stones and attacked school buses in which students suffered injuries.

According to the DM, the criminals gathered in Belaganj a day ahead of the bandh to indulge in violence.

As part of a strategy, the criminals pushed women to the forefront to evade retaliation by police.

There seems to be enough evidence to pin down the criminals.

Ten people have been taken into custody and raids are on to nab the others. "Tough action will be taken," the DM assured.

While confirming the attack on the Magadh divisional commissioner's vehicle during the violence, the DM said luckily the commissioner was not in the vehicle.

Asked if a case under SC/ST Act has also been registered against the vandals, the DM said it was being verified if the accused, while manhandling Belaganj SHO Deepak Kumar, taunted the SHO about his caste status.

Earlier, on Thursday, Sadar sub-divisional officer Suraj Kumar had said derogatory references were made to the SHO's caste.

Zonal IG Naiyyer Hasnain Khan said the incident has been taken very seriously and the culprits would not be spared.