Patna:
Angry protesters hurled slippers and even threw a plastic chair in the air at a rally addressed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the state's Nawada district today. The chief minister was getting off the stage after winding up his speech when the incident happened.
According to the police, no one was injured at the rally.
The Chief Minister is holding a series of public meetings as part of his 'Adhikar Yatra'. He is touring the state to rally support for his demand for "special status" for Bihar - a tag granted by the Centre that would make the state eligible for special financial assistance and development.
His tour has been marked by public protests, many of them reportedly instigated by the opposition RJD, the party headed by his rival Lalu Prasad Yadav. Most of the protests have involved teachers who have been hired by government schools on contract, and want a raise.
At one of his rallies held in Madhepura last month, slippers were thrown at the Chief Minister's stage, allegedly by contract teachers demanding better pay and working terms.
In Gaya, where the Chief Minister is scheduled address another meeting today, one person was injured as the police resorted to lathicharge to keep party workers under control.
Three people died last evening and seven people were injured when a cavalcade organized to escort the Chief Minister out of Jamui district of Bihar hit an autorickshaw. Mr Kumar's car had already exited the convoy when the accident took place.