Patna, July 24 - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered state police chief D.N. Gautam to inquire into the alleged assault and stripping of a woman by a group of men here after the opposition and women's rights activists created an uproar over the incident.

Officials said the chief minister ordered Gautam to undertake the probe Thursday night although the police headquarters had already asked Inspector General (Patna zone) Sunil Kumar to look into the incident.

A group of men had allegedly abused, assaulted and then stripped a woman in her 20s in full public view at a busy road in the state capital Thursday evening.

A police team was reportedly present at the site and watched the attack on the woman for nearly an hour before taking the culprits to the police station.

Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Neelmani said Assistant Sub-inspector Shiv Nath Singh, who was in charge of patrolling the area, has been suspended for not helping the woman in time.

The woman was identified as resident of Jesidih, a town in the neighbouring state Jharkhand.