Muzaffarpur, July 27: The role of two police officers has come under the scanner after a JD(U) MLA’s close aide was gunned down in Vishnupur last night.

Bhola Singh, 45, was a staunch supporter of the ruling party and said to be close to Sahebganj MLA Raju Kumar Singh. The two police officers — Deoriya police station’s former SHO Shambhu Yadav and present SHO Rameshwar Thakur — have been suspended for negligence of duty. The MLA has demanded institution of FIRs against Shambhu.

Criminals gunned down Bhola in Vishnupur village, around 45km west of the district headquarters under Deoriya police station. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Saurav Kumar rushed to the village, around 125km northwest of Patna, with heavy reinforcement last night to pacify the villagers.

Party supporters and MLA Singh accused the two officers of masterminding the murder. The SSP maintained silence but assured he would probe accusations levelled against Shambhu and Rameshwar.

Villagers alleged that Shambhu was at Deoriya police station at the time of the incident. They claimed there was bad blood between the former SHO and the deceased. “Shambhu was there to hand over the charge of pending cases to the newly appointed SHO, Rameshwar Thakur,” said deputy superintendent of police (DSP) (west) Anuj Kumar.

SSP Saurav said he had put the two police officers under suspension for their alleged role in the murder. The SSP said the DSP was investigating the case and suspected Maoists’ hand in the killing.

However, the MLA said local criminals had gunned down Bhola, rejecting the rebel-hand theory in the murder.

Sources said the police officers are pinning the blame on rebels to avoid confrontation with the local criminals.

A forensic team also visited the village and collected bloodstains and splinter material from bombs and cartridges.