Patna, June 29 (IANS): One person was killed in a clash between villagers and police over the removal of a Shiva Linga in Bihar's Madhubani district, officials said on Thursday.

This late Wednesday night clash took place in Khojpur village when a police team wanted to take possession of the Shiva Linga that was found during digging for a pond.

People from the neighbouring village of Navkatol claimed the Shiv Linga, saying it had been discovered in their area.

District officer Kumar Inder Prakash said that when the police reached the site, anti-social elements stoned the security personnel and set ablaze four vehicles belonging to the police and the district administration.

He said the police used lathis and opened fire to disperse the villagers. A police official identified the dead man as Mangan Shahu, a shopkeeper.

Angry over the police action, villagers blocked the Babubarhi-Khutaaunaa road. A case has been lodged against dozens of villagers, the officer said.