The murder of two young journalists in Bhojpur district Sunday night created a volatile situation in the central Bihar district and chaos in Bihar Assembly on Monday as people staged violent protest in district headquarter Ara and opposition slammed Government for lawlessness.
Navin Nischal and Vijay Singh were crushed to death by a SUV at Garhani village when the two local reporters associated with two different vernacular publications were returning after covering Ram Navami events. It is alleged that the SUV belonged to former mukhiya Harsu Mian whose wife Shahida Parveen is mukhiya is Garhani. Eye witnesses said Harsu and his son Makbool were in the vehicle. The vehicle was torched as the two managed to escape.
leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said there was reign of terror and fear in the State and attacks on journalists were increasing. He said there was no rule of law and criminals were getting emboldened.
At several places in Bhojpur district enraged people came out and put up blockades on highways with burning tyres. The Government constituted an SIT headed by Patna zonal IG Nayyar Hasnain Khan. The SIT arrested main accused Harsu who allegedly had a spat with Navin a few hours before the murder. His son Makbool, who came out of jail recently on bail, was still absconding.
Expressing concern over the incident, Union Minister of State Giriraj Singh demanded a judicial inquiry. Bhojpur SP Awkash Kumar said the accused was being interrogated and raids were on to arrest absconding accused.