Bihar govt calls for CBI probe into immolation deaths of sugar mill workers

Patna: Bihar government has recommended CBI inquiry into the death of two sugar mill workers union leaders at Motihari in an alleged self-immolation attempt to protest against non-payment of arrears.

"The state government has recommended CBI inquiry into the Motihari sugar mill workers deaths," Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) S K Singhal told PTI today.

Two FIRs were lodged in the case - one into the deaths of two sugar mill workers union leaders and another against the owner and manager of the private sugar mill at Motihari for allegedly orchestrating their deaths.

"Both the FIRs would be handed over to CBI for further probe," Singhal said.

Two union leaders - Naresh Shrivastava and Suraj Baitha - had lost their lives during a sit-in against non-payment of arrears and for reopening the mill on April 9 this year.

The two had announced their proposed self-immolation and police had turned up to facilitate a meeting with the district authorities deaths. In the meantime the two were seen to be in flames and died later in the hospital.

Their families had registered a case against the mill owner and manager for orchestrating their deaths with the help of some anti-socials who had mingled with the agitating workers that day.