Patna:Three officials associated with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), including the District Programme Manager (DPM), were injured after they were allegedly attacked by a group of assailants near the Ratanpur overbridge under the Mufassil police station area of Ara (Arrah) in Bihar.
\
According to police, Rahul Kumar, the District Programme Manager under the District Education Officer's office, was returning from work with two other staff members in a vehicle when another car allegedly intercepted them near the overbridge on Thursday evening.
The occupants of the car reportedly overtook their vehicle and attacked them with sticks and clubs.
The assailants also allegedly damaged the officials' vehicle before fleeing the scene.
The sudden attack created panic in the area. Local residents rushed to the spot after hearing the commotion, but the attackers had escaped by then.
The injured officials were taken to Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Hospital sources said the Block Programme Manager and another staff member sustained serious injuries and are undergoing medical treatment.
Following the incident, employees and officials of the District Education Officer's office assembled at the Mufassil police station and staged a protest, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.
According to the injured officials, they were returning from the office after 6 p.m. when more than half a dozen people allegedly launched a sudden assault.
They claimed the attackers intended to kill them and said they managed to escape with the help of local residents.
District Education Officer Manvendra Kumar Rai visited the police station after the incident and confirmed that the District Programme Manager and two staff members had been attacked while returning from the office.
He said the injured officials were receiving treatment and expressed hope that the accused would be identified and arrested soon.
Police have registered the case and launched an investigation.
They are examining the circumstances leading to the attack and are working to identify and apprehend the assailants.
--IANS
