New Delhi: A senior police officer said on Tuesday that the man who attacked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar two days ago had been taken to a hospital for psychiatric treatment.
Manavjeet Singh Dhillon, Senior Superintendent of Police in Patna, said the attacker was taken to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), the state's largest public healthcare institution, news agency PTI reported.
"We conducted a thorough inquiry. Neither the attacker nor any of his family members have any criminal history. As per instructions, he was first examined at a community health centre after which he is undergoing psychological profiling at the PMCH by specialists in the field," Dhillon was quoted by PTI in its report.
On Sunday, a 32-year-old man attacked the chief minister in Bakhtiyarpur, on the outskirts of the city, and was quickly overcome by security officials on duty.
The CM instantly told the security guards not to beat up the assailant and instead attempt to figure out what was wrong with him.
Following that, the district government published a statement revealing that the attacker was a local resident who had tried suicide twice and whose mental illness had forced his wife to live away from their children.
The government further said that the CM had directed that "no disciplinary action" be taken against the attacker and that his psychological recovery be facilitated.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav argued that the "security failure" was symptomatic of the broader state of law and order.
"Undoubtedly it is a deplorable episode. But you can imagine how secure a common man can feel when the chief minister himself is not secure," Yadav remarked sarcastically.
(With PTI Inputs)