Patna, Sep 12 (IANS) Baidyanath Mahto, husband of Zila Parishad member Khushdil Devi from Constituency No. 13, was shot dead by unidentified assailants during his morning walk in Kethariya village under the Dumra police station area in Sitamarhi district on Saturday. The people of the area expressed their anger at the Bihar Police’s inaction in the case.
Mahto had stepped out of his home for a morning walk when the attackers allegedly targeted him and opened fire.
He died at the spot. The incident triggered panic and anger in the area, with villagers questioning the police response to an earlier shooting incident at the residence of the Zila Parishad member.
The murder took place just three days after hundreds of villagers had gathered outside the Dumra police station on September 8 to protest what they alleged was police inaction in connection with the earlier shooting.
According to the complaint filed in connection with the earlier incident, unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at the Zila Parishad member’s residence in Kethariya at around 1:15 a.m. on August 28.
Family members were reportedly asleep inside the house when they heard gunshots. When they went outside, they allegedly saw some individuals fleeing the area on a motorcycle.
The complaint further alleged that eight to 10 people, who were under the influence of alcohol, had been using abusive language outside the residence before the firing.
The shooting allegedly followed objections raised by the family.
The incident was reported to the Dumra police station as well as the emergency helpline 112.
Police subsequently visited the location and assessed the situation.
However, villagers alleged that the main accused in the earlier case had not been arrested despite the seriousness of the incident.
They staged a protest at the Dumra police station on September 8, demanding the immediate arrest of those allegedly involved.
The killing of Baidyanath Mahto three days after the protest has intensified concerns among local residents.
Villagers have alleged that the lack of timely action in the earlier case may have emboldened criminals and contributed to a sense of insecurity in the area.
These allegations have not yet been independently established, and the police have yet to issue an official statement addressing the villagers’ claims.
Following Saturday’s murder, tension has increased in the area, with some residents discussing the possibility of renewed protests.
Questions have also been raised locally over the functioning of Dumra SHO Mukesh Kumar.
The motive behind Mahto’s murder and the identities of the attackers remain unclear.
Police investigation is underway, and further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting and action against those responsible are awaited.
–IANS
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