Auto Driver’s Death Triggers Protest in Ara Over Traffic Harassment Claims

Brief By Newsbrief / 12:17 PM on 14 Feb 2026

Tension gripped Ara town in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Friday after the death of an auto-rickshaw driver who had allegedly set himself on fire following repeated harassment by traffic police. The incident occurred near Old Police Line Chowk in the Nagar police station area. According to family members, the driver was under severe mental stress due to frequent challans and alleged mistreatment by traffic personnel. A few days earlier, he attempted self-immolation in public, sustaining critical burn injuries.

He was initially admitted to Ara Sadar Hospital and later referred to Patna for advanced treatment, where he succumbed during treatment. As the body was brought back to Ara, angry family members and locals staged a road blockade, placing the body on the road and raising slogans against the police administration. Traffic came to a standstill for several kilometres, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

The family demanded strict action against the responsible officials and adequate compensation, claiming the deceased was the sole breadwinner. Police officials reached the spot, pacified the protesters, and assured a fair investigation and relief, after which the blockade was lifted.