Patna, (Bihar Times): Four Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel were killed by Maoists on the afternoon of the New Year in Munger district of Bihar. They were killed near Rishi Kund, a tourist spot in the district.

According to SP of Munger, Shalin,  the Maoists fired randomly at the SAP men killing four constables. An SAP team had gone to the area after a tip-off that Maoist rebels were planning to create trouble at Rishi Kund where hundreds of people were partying on the New Year.

However, the Maoists encircled the SAP contingent and fired on them. The SAP men were taken by complete surprise.

The SAP has been raised by the Nitish Kumar government and it essentially comprises retired army personnel.

Senior district officials are camping in the area and a manhunt is on to nab the killers.

Last year 22 policemen were killed at the hands of the Maoists in the state. The police could kill only 12 Maoists. This figure alone say how capable the police are in countering the Maoists’ menace in Bihar.