Patna: A victory procession led by Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Friday was overshadowed by celebratory gunfire after supporters fired rifles on a public road during the event in Lakhisarai. Sinha had arrived in Barhiya following his fifth consecutive win from the Lakhisarai assembly seat.
Video from the scene showed the Deputy CM addressing crowds from a microphone held through his car window, repeatedly thanking voters: “Thank you to the people of Lakhisarai for forming our government.” Supporters continued to fire shots into the air throughout his remarks, and Sinha did not appear to intervene to stop them. Gunfire persisted as slogans were chanted and flower petals were showered from a bulldozer that led the procession.
The roadshow included a visit to the Jagdamba Temple, where Sinha offered prayers. He later addressed supporters, vowing stringent action on organised crime and illegal mining.
“The government will take strict action against the mafia,” he said, adding that the mining department would now “prove to be a boon for Bihar” by generating employment opportunities and cracking down on the sand mining mafia. He also promised reforms to address widespread land disputes in the state, describing the current system as one that “turns land conflicts into genocide”.
Sinha said the government would implement mechanisms to ensure swift and peaceful resolution of land issues.
