Kishanganj (Bihar): Union Textile Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain escaped an attempt on his life tonight (Apr 18, 2004) when some criminals tried to crush him by their speeding jeep at Ruijhansa ground, police sources said.

At that time Hussain was supervising construction of a dais for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was to address a meeting on April 22.

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Two persons, Kamal Kishore Yadav and Vimal Kumar Thakur, a journalist, were taken into custody in this connection, the sources said.

Hussain said that a speeding jeep tried to hit him at the ground but he narrowly escaped.

He along with his bodyguards and the police chased the vehicle.

While one person, armed with AK 47, managed to flee when the attackers' jeep reached near Kishanganj railway station, two others, also armed, escaped near a level crossing, the sources said.

But Hussain's bodyguards and policemen surrounded the vehicle, which was also carrying Thakur and Yadav. They were later taken to Kishanganj police station.

Hussain accused Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rival and State Building Minister Taslimuddin of having masterminded the attack.