Muzaffarpur: Tension prevailed in Asia village under Gaighat police station limits in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district after a 55-year-old man died during a violent clash between police and villagers late Tuesday night. The deceased has been identified as Jagveer Rai.
Family members have refused to perform the last rites, alleging that a police officer shot him during the confrontation. Jagveer Rai’s son, Avinash Kumar, said the family will not conduct the funeral until the accused officer is arrested.
“Until the sub-inspector is arrested, I will not perform my father’s last rites,” Avinash said, accusing Gaighat police station officer Raja Singh of shooting his father in the chest during the clash. The officer has been placed on line duty pending inquiry.
The incident occurred when a police team reached the village to arrest an accused in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to police, villagers protested the raid, which soon escalated into a violent confrontation.
Police said that when the situation turned uncontrollable and the team came under attack, personnel fired in self-defence. Villagers allegedly also opened fire during the clash. In the exchange, Jagveer Rai sustained a bullet injury and died.
On Wednesday, after hours of tension, the police sent the body for post-mortem. The body was later brought back to the village, where anger among residents continues. Heavy police deployment has been made in the area to prevent further unrest.
The situation drew political attention as Purnia MP Pappu Yadav visited the bereaved family on Thursday morning. During the visit, the victim’s daughter broke down and hugged the MP while crying, leaving many present emotional.
Pappu Yadav demanded the arrest of the accused station house officer and assured the family of support. “I stand with the family in this fight. I will raise this issue in the Lok Sabha on Monday and will also file a petition in the High Court. If needed, we will launch a protest from Muzaffarpur to Patna,” he said.
Family members claim that Jagveer Rai was shot when he stepped outside his house after hearing gunshots during the raid. Avinash Kumar alleged that the officer fired directly at his father’s chest. Another son of the deceased, Ajay Kumar, also rejected police claims of an attack on the police team and said the firing by police triggered panic in the village.
Ajay alleged that police personnel entered his house during the raid and attempted to detain him despite no case or warrant against him. He claimed that when family members protested, the police fired shots towards them before the incident that led to his father’s death.
Following the death, villagers blocked the road by placing the body on it in protest, demanding action against the police personnel involved.
Police, however, maintain that the firing took place during a chaotic situation triggered by a mob attack. Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Kantesh Kumar Mishra said an angry crowd damaged two police vehicles and injured the Gaighat station house officer along with two other policemen.
According to the SSP, the police team had gone to arrest a suspect in a rape case involving a minor girl after receiving court orders. When the accused was not found and police tried to detain another suspect, villagers allegedly attacked the team, forcing officers to fire warning shots in self-defence.
Police officials said it is yet to be determined whose bullet hit the victim. A case has been registered on the complaint of the deceased’s family, and an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Asia village and surrounding areas remains tense. Senior police officers, including the Rural Superintendent of Police and DSP East, are camping in the area with additional forces. Police have also conducted flag marches to maintain law and order while efforts are underway to identify those involved in the violence and damage to government property.
