Patna, July 4 (IANS) There was palpable tension in a town in Bihar’s West Champaran district Saturday, a day after a suspected thief died in police custody, triggering violent protests as people demanded action against the police.
Serazul Ansari, who was in his 30s, died while he was in custody in the police station in Dhaka town early Friday. Ansari had been detained on suspicion of being involved in looting a petrol pump June 25.

Hundreds of people took to the streets following Ansari’s death and attacked the Dhaka police station. The residents alleged that Ansari had been falsely implicated in the case by the police.

Ansari and his four associates were detained for their suspected role in looting Rs.500,000 from a petrol pump. Ansari’s father Ramzan Miyan has also accused the police of falsely implicating his son in the case.

In the wake of the protests and tension in the town, the state government has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of Ansari.