Sitamarhi/Patna: A Zila Parishad member’s husband was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants in Sitamarhi district on Saturday morning, triggering protests, road blockades and clashes between angry villagers and police.
The victim, identified as Baidyanath Mahto, was attacked while he was out for a morning walk in Kathariya village under Dumra police station. According to villagers, the assailants fired multiple rounds at him before fleeing the scene.
Eight rounds allegedly fired
Villagers said Mahto had left his home for his morning walk when the attackers targeted him. They allegedly fired eight rounds, leaving him critically injured. He collapsed at the spot and died.
Police reached the scene after receiving information about the shooting and began inspecting the area and collecting evidence. Arrangements were also being made to send the body for post-mortem examination.
SP Amit Ranjan said the case would be investigated from all angles. “The case will be solved after investigating all aspects,” he said.
Police team attacked amid protests
The killing triggered anger among local residents, who blocked the road and questioned the police response.
A police team that arrived to control the situation was allegedly driven away by villagers, who pelted personnel with stones. Traffic Inspector Prashant Kumar and Cyber Inspector Anil Ram were injured in the incident and subsequently hospitalised.
DSP Ashish Kumar and SP Amit Ranjan reached the spot and attempted to pacify the protesters.
There were also reports that the house of a local man allegedly linked to the killing was set on fire. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the identity of those involved are yet to be established by police.
Villagers allege illegal liquor angle
Some villagers have alleged that Mahto was targeted because he had opposed the illegal liquor trade.
Villager Suraj Kumar claimed that Mahto had been killed because of his opposition to illegal liquor activities. The allegation has not been independently established.
Police are investigating the possible motive behind the killing and working to identify and arrest those responsible.
Family says Mahto was attacked earlier
Villagers and family members said Mahto had previously come under fire on August 28, following which an FIR was registered at Dumra police station.
They alleged that no concrete action was taken against the accused and that those allegedly involved continued to move freely. According to them, Mahto was subsequently targeted again on Saturday and killed.
Former MLA Rajkishore Kushwaha said Mahto had allegedly been receiving repeated threats and claimed that demands for police protection and action against the accused had not yielded results.
Kushwaha also alleged a nexus between the Dumra SHO and criminals in connection with the earlier incident. He claimed that following the August 28 shooting, the SP had met villagers and the SHO ordered an investigation, with one alleged accused being detained before subsequently being released.
“We had even laid siege to the Dumra police station demanding security and the arrest of the accused, yet the police took no action,” Kushwaha alleged, while demanding action against the SHO and stronger measures against criminals.
Police have not confirmed the allegations against the SHO or the claims regarding the earlier accused’s release. Investigation into the murder, its motive and the alleged lapses surrounding the earlier shooting is underway.
