Sitamarhi (Bihar), Sep 12 A man was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bihar's Sitamarhi district on Saturday morning, triggering a protest that left several police vehicles vandalised and an officer injured.
Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, highlighted the incident to say that "law and order has collapsed under the Samrat Choudhary-led state government".
Mahto, who had recently survived a foiled attack inside his house, was shot multiple times by two motorcycle-borne assailants while he was out for his morning walk around 6.30 am, a police officer said.
Mahto sustained several gunshot wounds and died, he said, adding the unidentified accused fled the spot after the incident.
The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and swift action will be taken against the culprits, Sitamarhi's Superintendent of Police Amit Ranjan said, adding that the exact circumstances leading to Mahto's death could only be ascertained after thorough investigation.
According to preliminary information, the deceased had on August 29 filed a police complaint against Tribhuvan Kumar, Md Ejaz Ahmad, Md Ehsan Ahmad and other unknown persons for allegedly opening fire at him while he was sleeping inside his house.
The incident took place around 1.15 am on August 29, when the assailants fired through a window, but Mahto escaped unscathed, he said.
Locals alleged that though the police complaint was filed, no follow-up action was taken.
Mahto, along with several villagers, had marched to Dumra police station on September 8, seeking swift action over his complaint. He was assured by the police that action would be taken soon, officials said.
Enraged over the murder and alleged police inaction in the previous incident, locals took to the streets during the day demanding the arrest of the accused, and resorted to pelting stones.
Officials said three-four police vehicles were vandalised and a police officer was injured in the incident. Additional forces were deployed, and the situation was brought under control.
Following the incident, Dumra SHO Mukesh Kumar and investigator (of the previous firing incident) Aditya Kumar were suspended with immediate effect on charges of dereliction of duty, an official statement said.
The crime scene was examined by a forensic team and CCTV footage from the surrounding areas was being scrutinised. Further investigation is underway, officials said.
Commenting on the incident, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that law and order has collapsed in Bihar under Samrat Choudhary's rule.
"The manner in which crime has increased since Samrat Choudhary became the chief minister is concerning. Rapes, murders, kidnapping, and even police atrocities are happening on a daily scale. Law and order has completely collapsed in the state," he told reporters.
Yadav alleged that the CM doesn't even care to visit the victims or their families, and is merely engaged in "empty talks".
