Bihar mob frees alleged liquor supplier from custody
A mob attacked an excise team and allegedly freed a suspected liquor supplier from custody during a raid in Muzaffarpur district on Friday, officials said on Saturday.
The incident took place at Rupanpatti Chowk under Sakra police station when excise officials were conducting a raid to arrest Pankaj Kumar Thakur, who was allegedly involved in home delivery of liquor.
According to Muzaffarpur DSP (East-2) Manoj Kumar Singh, the team intercepted Thakur while he was travelling on a motorcycle. Before the officials could search him, a crowd of around 20-25 people reportedly gathered after being called by the accused and opposed the raid.
The mob allegedly scuffled with the excise personnel and forcibly freed Thakur. The group also threatened to damage and set fire to the officials’ vehicle.
Police from Sakra police station later reached the spot and, along with excise officials, raided Thakur’s residence. However, he had already fled and no seizure was made.
Based on a complaint filed by excise official Upendra Mandal, police registered a case against five named individuals and several unidentified persons.
One of the named accused, Arvind Mishra of Rupanpatti, is reportedly employed as a driver with a Dial 112 emergency response vehicle in neighbouring Darbhanga district.
Police said further investigation is underway and teams are conducting raids to apprehend those involved in the incident.
with inputs from PTI
