Former Uttar Pradesh minister Jamuna Prasad Nishad was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a shoot-out in Maharajganj town in eastern Uttar Pradesh on Saturday night, in which a police constable was killed.

Nishad was arrested while he was on his way to Chief Minister Mayawati's residence to attend a meeting.

Nishad, who was sacked by Mayawati on Sunday, was named in an FIR in connection with the killing of the constable, who was killed during alleged firing by his supporters at Kotwali police station in Maharajganj.

"Preliminary investigations have confirmed his prima facie participation in the incident that took place at the Maharajganj police station on Sunday, when constable Krishnanand Rai was killed by a stray bullet," UP police chief Vikram Singh told a press conference on Tuesday.

The minister had claimed that he had joined his supporters as the local police had diluted the victim's allegation of rape and dismissed it as just another case of eve teasing.

It was only after the chief minister ordered a new probe into the whole case, following which the victim was subjected to a fresh medical examination, that rape was officially confirmed. "We are initiating action against the alleged rapists too," the state police chief pointed out.

He added, "The minister's presence with the mob was confirmed through statements of eye-witnesses."

Singh said, "By taking such stern action against the minister, the chief minister wishes to send across a clear message that no one involved in a criminal act would be allowed to go scot-free."

"The police have also arrested 12 other people in connection with the rioting and violence at the police station," he informed.

The state police chief added, "More heads would roll once the magisterial inquiry ordered into the incident is completed."