Forbesganj police firing was a violent clash between a mob and Bihar Police outside an underconstruction factory in which four people were killed and 27 policemen and five villagers were injured near Forbesganj, a town in Bihar, India, on 3 June 2011.
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Background
Bhajanpur villagers were agitating for a road passage through the factory site since December 2010. After negotiations between factory officials and villagers an alternate route had been agreed upon.
On 3 June 2011 an violent mob attacked the factory, demolishing the factory wall and indulged in arson which led to police action. Initially the police tried to control the mob with baton charge but when the mob grew more violent shots were fired resulting in death of two persons. Later two more people died in hospital due to injuries sustained during the violence.
Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar announced a judicial probe into the firing.
Political reactions
JD(U) National President Sharad Yadav disapproved of the judicial probe saying decision to order a judicial probe into Forbesganj police firing incident may discourage private investment in Bihar and deter the industrialists from setting up their units in the state.
Lok Jantantrik Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan asked for resignation of Nitish Kumar: "Nitish should own moral responsibility for the police firing and also the killing of a doctor in Gopalganj jail,"
The judicial probe should also inquire into the role of deputy chief minister SK Modi, BJP MLC Ashok Agarwal and Forbesganj SDO Giriwar Dayal Singh, leader of the opposition in the state assembly Abdul Bari Siddiqui told reporters.
Actions
Bihar government announced a judicial probe but no judge has been named as of June 21. A compensation of 3 lakhs was announced to the parents of infant Sahil Ansari. No compensation is announced for other victims.
Police Jawan Sunil Kumar Yadav, who jumped on one of the victims, was arrested and charged with murder.
"Taking suo moto cognisance of the Forbesganj police firing that claimed four lives on June 3, Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has asked for a probe. The commission directed the commissioner and IG of Purnia to ensure a joint probe and submit a report within next four weeks."
Indian American Muslim Council issued an action alert on 22 June 2011 asking people to call Bihar Chief Minister to demand strong action in this case.