Gaya/Patna: Jitan Ram Manjhi narrowly escaped injury on Friday evening after unidentified individuals allegedly pelted stones at him during a public programme in Bihar’s Gaya district.
The incident took place at a private school event in Khizersarai, where the Union minister and chief of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was addressing a gathering.
According to officials, stones landed close to the minister during the programme, triggering panic at the venue and raising concerns over security arrangements.
Two Minors Detained After Incident
Police later detained two minor boys in connection with the stone-pelting incident.
Senior administrative and police officials, including Surendra Kumar Singh and Keshav Anand, questioned the detained boys at the venue.
Officials said the minors had not yet disclosed the motive behind the attack and that investigations were continuing.
Following the incident:
- Police personnel from multiple stations were deployed at the site
- Security around the programme was tightened
- A brief period of chaos and confusion was reported at the venue
Manjhi Says ‘Some People Do Not Want Good Work’
Reacting to the incident, Manjhi said he had not immediately realised what had happened during the programme.
“Some people do not want good work to be accomplished; it is precisely such individuals who are behind these acts,” he told reporters.
Officials said the stones appeared to have been thrown from a considerable distance.
Recent Attack on HAM MLA Also Under Spotlight
The incident comes days after another alleged attack involving a member of Manjhi’s extended family.
Last Sunday, Jyoti Devi — the mother of Manjhi’s daughter-in-law — was allegedly attacked near Gambhira village in Gaya district.
According to reports:
- A dispute reportedly broke out over movement of a vehicle on the road
- Local individuals allegedly misbehaved with the MLA
- A scuffle took place between the accused and her security personnel
- Attempts were allegedly made to damage her vehicle
Police Had Earlier Arrested Man Accused of Threatening Manjhi
The latest incident also follows a recent case involving online threats against the Union minister.
Police said a man accused of issuing threats against Manjhi through a video posted on Facebook had been arrested earlier this week.
The accused, identified as Rajesh Rao, also known as Sardar, was arrested by the Gaya cyber police from the Laherisarai police station area in Nalanda district.
Officials said the video contained inflammatory remarks directed at the Union minister.
Police stated that the accused was arrested within 48 hours of the video going viral and remains under interrogation.
