Patna: The attack on chief minister Nitish Kumar's convoy at Nandan village in Buxar district on Friday could have been averted, had senior officials paid heed to intelligence inputs about resentment among a section of people.

Investigations have revealed that before Nitish's visit the district magistrate (DM) and superintendent of police (SP) were apprised of the protest by residents of the Dalit hamlet due to anger over lack of development works in their locality.

A local police officer, it is learnt, had also warned repeatedly about the simmering discontentment.

Neither DM Arvind Kumar Verma nor SP Rakesh Kumar responded to calls from The Telegraph.

"Only 10-15 lathi-wielding constables were deployed to deal with the irate mob," said a senior officer.

Initially, a group of 20-25 women demanded the officials ensure Nitish visit their hamlet. The protest swelled when the police used force on them. The mob became agitated on seeing the local mukhiya, Rajiv Pathak. "He is mukhiya for three terms, but has done nothing for us," a protester was heard saying.

Local sources said liquor had been seized from the house of a confidant of the mukhiya about two weeks ago. "The mukhiya escaped police action due to his connections," alleged a local resident.

Deputy superintendent of police (headquarters) Manoj Kumar confirmed the arrest of 28 persons over Friday's incident.

Locals said male members of Dalit families have fled fearing police action. They alleged that the cops assaulted residents after Nitish left.

The role of a lawmaker from Buxar district has come under the police scanner for allegedly orchestrating the attack on Kumar's convoy during his Vikas Karyon ki Samiksha Yatra on Friday.