Tension grips Bihar village after three burnt to death

Patna, Jan 19: Tension gripped a Bihar village Monday, a day after three people were burnt to death and 10 were injured when a mob torched over three dozen houses in Muzaffarpur district after the body of an abducted youth was found, police said. Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Anupam Kumar told IANS by telephone that a probe into the arson attack began following the directive of Chief Minister Jitan Kumar Manjhi, who is on a visit to Mumbai. Manjhi is likely to visit the village Monday evening. Kumar said that preliminary probe suggests that clash in the village was the result of a love affair. "District administration was not taking any chances, fearing retaliation by villagers," he said. The incident took place in Muslim dominated Ajitpur Bahilwara village after the body of a 20-year-old Hindu boy was recovered Sunday. He was allegedly abducted and killed for his love affair with a Muslim girl. Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjeet Kumar Mishra said a mob attacked the house of the main accused in the youth's abduction and killing, triggering a clash between the villagers.