Case against over 3,000 flood victims after violent protest

PATNA - A case was Friday lodged against more than 3,000 flood victims at Birpur in Supaul district of Bihar for violent protests, a day after at least 12 protestors were injured when police opened fire and charged them with batons.

More than three million people were rendered homeless in Bihar when the Kosi river breached its bank upstream in Nepal and changed course Aug 18, 2008. Large tracts of land were flooded, forcing people to flee their homes.

They were then forced to live along the roads without food, clothes, shelter and drinking water or in the relief camps set up by the state government. Thousands of people were affected by the worst floods of Bihar in the last 50 years.

Hundreds of flood victims protested Thursday outside the office of Birpur sub-divisional officer, demanding their rehabilitation, payment of compensation as announced by the state government, employment, check in rampant corruption and loot of public money meant for them.

“A case was lodged against 3,000 unknown flood victims and 49 known flood victims for damaging the government office and creating trouble during protest,” police said.

Supaul Deputy Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar said the police action came after the victims refused to withdraw their agitation.

Opposition Left parties, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Janshakti Party condemned the police action on the flood victims.