Gaya:In a shocking incident of pre-poll violence, Dr Anil Kumar Singh, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) candidate from Gaya’s Tikari constituency, was attacked by villagers with stones and bullets on Wednesday evening. The candidate, who sustained a fractured arm and head injuries, alleged that it was a “conspiracy to murder” him.
According to reports, the attack took place in Didhaura village under Koch police station limits when Singh arrived for campaigning around 4 pm. As he interacted with locals, a group of villagers reportedly questioned him about road construction delays and soon began hurling bricks and stones at his convoy.
Witnesses said that the situation quickly turned violent as nearly 50 villagers surrounded Singh and his supporters, vandalising vehicles and firing several rounds. A viral video of the incident shows men throwing stones at cars and smashing windshields.
“They threw bricks and fired bullets. Around seven shots were fired — one narrowly missed me,” Singh told reporters while being treated at Magadh Medical College Hospital. “If I had been five minutes late, they would have killed me.”
He further alleged that over 500 people later joined the mob, attacking eight vehicles in his convoy. “Two bricks hit my hand and two hit my back. My guard saved my life — we escaped through a muddy lane,” he said.
Following the attack, police arrived and cordoned off the area, turning the village into a temporary police camp. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the violence, officials confirmed.
Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Kumar said the situation is under control and the investigation is underway. District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar added that the accused were identified using video footage, and additional forces have been deployed for candidate security.
