Ex-CM Manjhi’s convoy attacked in Bihar, vehicle burnt

Patna, May 26

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's convoy was attacked on Thursday near Dumariah in Bihar.

A police official told IANS that the villagers were angry over the delay by Manjhi, a local legislator, in meeting the family members of two brothers -- Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Sudesh Paswan and his brother Sunil Paswan -- killed by Maoists.

According to police officials in Gaya, a vehicle of Manjhi's convoy was also set ablaze by the angry people.

However, Manjhi's party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the LJP, both allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), blamed the supporters of the ruling Grand Alliance of Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress for the attack.

LJP leader Sudesh Paswan and his brother Sunil Paswan were killed in broad daylight near Tola Dubat in Gaya, about 100 km from here, by Maoists on Wednesday.

Maoists also torched two cars and a motorcycle used in the campaigning in support of the slain LJP leader's wife, who is in the fray for the village chief's post. — IANS