Jitram Munda, president of Ranchi (Rural) BJP ST Cell was shot dead on Wednesday at Palu locality under Ormanjhi police station area when he was returning home after participating in a party programme.
He was rushed to Bhagwan Mahavir Medanta hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. A BJP worker Rajkishore Sahu, who was accompanying him also suffered bullet injury on his hand.
Thirty eight-year-old Munda is learnt to have earlier applied for the gun license. Eye witnesses said that Munda was returning home after participating in the demonstration against the State Government and Bandhu Tirkey. The agitation was organised at Shastri Chowk. On return he stopped at Aryan Hotel for tea. It was getting around 6.30 pm when two criminals on a bike sprayed bullets on him. On hearing the incident a large number of BJP leaders and workers including Union Minister Arjun Munda came to the hospital as well as his residence.
Arjun Munda said that Jitram Munda had feared a threat on his life. “Administration was aware that he was facing a threat to his life. He had applied for a gun license. But the district administration neither provided him security nor the license. The Chief Minister must conduct an inquiry and take action for administrative lapses,” Munda said. Former chief minister Raghubar Das and BJP MP from Ranchi Sanjay Seth also condemned the incident and said law and order in Ranchi has completely collapsed.