Bihar minister hides in car to avoid mob

Angry villagers hurl stones and bricks as Verma passes by

Bihar’s Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma had a close escape yesterday when angry villagers hurled stones and bricks at her car, damaging it badly. Ultimately, the minister had to save herself by hiding under the seat.

The incident took place in Dalsingsarai block of Samastipur district in the morning. Verma is from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party, Janata Dal United (JD-U).

Reports quoting police sources said the minister was returning to Patna from a social function when her motorcade happened to pass Samastipur district.

As it reached the Dalsigsarai block, she came across an angry mob blocking the main road to protest a road accident.

However, security personnel escorting the minister tried to forcibly clear the blockade, which only served to make the crowd angrier.

In a fit of rage, the mob attacked her car with stones, bricks and other hard objects, leaving her nervous.

Her security detail asked her to hide under the seat while the driver tried to drive away.

By the time the car got away, it had already been damaged. Although the minister escaped unhurt, three of her security personnel sustained injuries in the incident.

“It was indeed a miraculous escape for me. I somehow survived the attack,” the minister told the media after the incident.