Patna: Bihar’s newly appointed home minister, Samrat Choudhary, has issued one of the strongest warnings yet to criminal networks in the state, saying that anyone involved in organised crime “will have to leave Bihar”. His remarks came hours after a police encounter in Begusarai left a notorious criminal injured.
Speaking to reporters, Choudhary said the new NDA government would take “strict and decisive action” to restore what he described as su-shaasan (good governance).
“Bihar is not a shelter for criminals. They have no place here – and they will be forced out,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership would remain central to upholding law and order.
Echoes of ‘UP model’ but Samrat Choudhary stays cautious
Asked whether Bihar would adopt a policing strategy similar to Uttar Pradesh’s hardline model, the deputy chief minister insisted that the state already had a strong enforcement framework.
“Bihar has always maintained law and order. Criminals must understand they cannot survive here,” he said.
Two encounters in 48 hours raise pressure on criminal networks
The latest operation unfolded between Malhipur and Shaligrami villages in Begusarai, where a joint team of the Bihar Police and the STF came under fire during a raid. Officers fired back, injuring a wanted criminal who is now receiving hospital treatment.
Just two days earlier, another accused was shot and injured in an encounter in the Teghra area. Choudhary suggested that such operations would intensify if criminal activity continues.
Bihar Police: weapons, cash and contraband seized
In a statement posted on X, Bihar Police revealed that officers had seized a cache of weapons and illegal materials during the Begusarai raid, including:
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7 country-made pistols
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1 semi-finished pistol
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7 magazines
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₹3.7 lakh in cash
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970 bottles of illegal cough syrup
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Tools used for manufacturing firearms
Police said more raids were likely as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal weapon factories and organised criminal groups.
Choudhary reiterated that the government’s objective was clear: “No criminal will be spared. Under Nitish Kumar’s guidance, good governance will prevail.”
