Thaindian News

Patna, Oct 19 (IANS) Three villagers in Bihar were killed in a clash with police as they were protesting the rescue of a suspected woman thief by the police, authorities said Wednesday.

The incident happened in Muradpur village of Siwan district Tuesday, police said.

The mob was beating the alleged child lifter when the police came to her rescue. This made the villagers angry who retaliated by pelting stones, a police officer said.

Over a dozen police and government officials were injured in the clash, he said.

Two police officers were critical.

Nearly a dozen villagers were also injured when police resorted to lathicharge and opened fire to disperse them.

Since the last few days a rumour was sweeping throughout Siwan that child lifters, particularly women, were active in the district, the officer said.

The three villagers were killed after they were hit by a speedy police vehicle that was carrying the woman.

Security forces have been deployed in the village.