Tension Escalates in Gopalganj After Brutal Killing of Priest Sparks Public Outcry

Gopalganj: The Gopalganj district is reeling from heightened tension in the aftermath of the brutal killing of a 32-year-old priest, Manoj Kumar Sah, late on Saturday. The incident has provoked public outrage, leading to clashes between residents and law enforcement, with accusations of inadequate response from authorities.

Sah, who had been missing for the past five days, was last seen at the Shiva temple in Danapur village under the Majha police station area. His lifeless body was discovered on Saturday evening in a bush near Sri Rampur Bazar, bearing horrific signs of violence, including gouged-out eyes and severe damage to his private parts.

Ashok Kumar, the deceased’s brother and a local BJP leader, expressed dismay, stating, “We filed a complaint with the police when Manoj went missing on Monday. Despite a search operation, no progress was made. Late last evening, his body was found in a bush, shocking everyone.”

As word spread about the grim discovery, residents gathered at the scene, directing their anger towards the police and district administration. Instances of vandalism ensued, including the burning of a police vehicle and pelting stones at law enforcement officers. Two policemen sustained injuries during the clashes.

Protestors erected road blockades on National Highway 27, causing a significant traffic jam, as they demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the heinous crime. The blockade was only lifted following the intervention of Pranjal Kumar, a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Gopalganj, on Sunday.

Addressing the situation, SDPO Pranjal Kumar stated, “The village remains tense but is under control. Additional security forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.” He confirmed the formation of a special team dedicated to identifying and apprehending the perpetrators swiftly.

Investigating officials are baffled by the extreme brutality exhibited in the case, with the victim’s eyes gouged out and private parts severely damaged. SDPO Pranjal Kumar noted, “The deceased served as a priest and caretaker of the Shiva temple in the village,” adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.

पुलिस अधीक्षक महोदय द्वारा मृतक मनोज कुमार साह से संबंधित बयान@bihar_police @BiharHomeDept @DigSaran @swarnprabhat516 pic.twitter.com/DLKlyLIgEB

— Gopalganj Police (@GopalganjPolice) December 17, 2023