Begusarai: At least 200 shops were closed for several hours on Thursday in Simaria Dham, Begusarai, following an armed attack by three masked men demanding extortion. The assailants, who arrived on a bike without a number plate, fired over half a dozen rounds and physically assaulted shop staff, spreading panic among locals and pilgrims in the area.
The incident occurred at Simaria Ghat, a prominent religious site in the Mithila region. According to local shopkeepers, the attackers demanded that extortion money be transferred directly into their account and warned of severe consequences if their demands were not met.
One of the assailants remained on the vehicle while the other two stormed into four different establishments, beating staff and firing into the air to create terror. A two-year-old child and a hotel worker narrowly escaped injury during the attack.
Protesting against the violence and lack of security, shopkeepers kept their businesses shut for about five hours. The disruption also caused significant inconvenience to visiting devotees.
Pankaj Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the firing took place at three locations and was aimed at intimidating local business owners. He confirmed that an investigation is underway and that security arrangements in the area will be intensified.
The attackers reportedly told shopkeepers, “You don’t pay tax, tell your owner to meet the boss, or face the consequences.” After causing chaos, the trio fled the scene on their bike.
