A policeman under a tree at 1, Anne Marg in Patna. A policeman under a tree at 1, Anne Marg in Patna.

Twenty-four armed policemen guarding more than 100 litchi, mango and jackfruit trees so that a former chief minister cannot pluck and eat them — that’s the scene playing out at 1, Anne Marg, the official Bihar CM’s residence, according to former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi and his party.

The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Wednesday claimed that CM Nitish Kumar was responsible for posting the policemen, who have been asked to “give an account of every fruit — whether it is plucked or falls naturally”.

Manjhi had refused to vacate the official CM’s residence after demitting office in February, claiming that he had not been granted an alternative accommodation, which every former CM is entitled to. This has forced Nitish to continue working from 7, Circular House, which was allotted to him in his capacity as former CM.

“I never thought Nitish can stoop to this level,” Manjhi said Wednesday.

His party also circulated duty slips purportedly directing eight sub-inspectors and 16 constables to protect the trees.

The party claimed Manjhi’s aides were “not allowed to go near these trees”.

“At a time when Nitish Kumar should engage more policemen to improve law-and-order, he is concerned about his mangoes and litchis being stolen. Nitishji is neither willing to swap residences with Manjhi, nor is he providing an alternative accommodation to him,” HAM spokesperson Danish Rizwan said.

JD(U) spokesperson Niraj Kumar dismissed it as “a non-issue, a desperate publicity attempt by HAM”.

When contacted, Bihar DGP P K Thakur said, “This does not call for my reaction. The SP who is in-charge of security and the CM and former CM should explain.”

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