Police Team Ambushed During Smuggler Arrest Operation
In a dramatic late-night incident in Patna, at least three police personnel sustained minor injuries when a police team came under violent attack while attempting to arrest a wanted liquor smuggler. The confrontation occurred in the Yarpur Domkhana Mushhari settlement under the Gardanibagh police station area on Monday night.
Violent Mob Attack and Damage
According to City SP (central) Diksha, the operation was launched to arrest Prabhat Manjhi, a history-sheeter with six previous excise cases registered against him at Gardanibagh police station. "Acting on a tip-off, the police team reached the spot to execute the arrest warrant. Manjhi was successfully taken into custody and 18 litres of country-made liquor were recovered," she stated.
The situation turned violent as the team began withdrawing from the area. A large crowd suddenly gathered, including local women, who surrounded police vehicles and began pushing and shoving personnel. The confrontation quickly escalated to heavy stone-pelting, leaving one police vehicle extensively damaged.
Police Response and Follow-up Action
The initial police team was forced to retreat briefly to prevent further escalation. Reinforcements from nearby stations were rushed to the location, followed by a massive follow-up raid conducted in the early hours of Tuesday.
During the second operation, 17 people were arrested, including six women alleged to have actively participated in the confrontation. Police have registered a fresh case of rioting, assault on public servants, and obstructing government work against 17 named accused and approximately 40 unidentified individuals.
Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma emphasized that raids continue to arrest others involved in the attack. "No one who disrupts law and order will be spared," he asserted.
SP Diksha revealed that this area has a history of illegal liquor activities. "Remnants of country-made liquor manufacturing have been found in the locality during previous raids as well. This is a known pocket where illegal liquor trade continues despite repeated action. Local resistance is not new, but yesterday's attack was unexpected in its intensity," she explained.
Following Monday's violence, police deployment in the area has been increased significantly to maintain order and prevent further incidents.
