Patna: Cops are yet to find any leads in the murder of Digha-based cement dealer Ram Vachan Rai.

According to sources, three youngsters riding a motorbike pumped six bullets into Ram near a vegetable market in Digha on the Gandhi Maidan-Danapur road on Saturday.

The police suspect a rivalry between Ram's son Nirala and Nakat Rai's sons Sunny and Vikash to be the reason behind the murder. Patna deputy superintendent of police (law and order) Shibli Nomani said: "We have come to know that on the day of Holi, Nirala had a fight with Sunny. The police are conducting raids to nab Sunny and Vikash."

Nakat has a criminal background and is lodged at Beur Central Jail.

The family members have claimed that Nakat's sons are behind the murder. A family member of Ram said: "Nakat's sons create disturbance in the Digha area. Nakat's sons Sunny and Vikash are involved in various criminal incidents in the area."

The family alleged that residents and traders of Digha and Danapur area are scared of Sunny and Vikash as they are involved in extortion and ransom demand. A family member said: "On Holi, Sunny and Vikash had a fight with Nirala and threatened him and his father of dire consequences. The family had lodged a complaint at Digha police station against Sunny and Vikash but no action was taken."

Sources said Ram apart from having a dispute with Nakat's family, also had differences with his relative and neighbour Lallu Rai.

Officer shifted

Patna police have forwarded Digha station house officer RK Dubey to the Police Lines. The SHO has been forwarded as per deputy inspector-general of Patna range, Rajesh Kumar's directive. As per the letter issued by the DIG, Dubey was sent to Police Lines as he is ill and not turning up for the job due to medical reasons for the past few months. Dubey has been replaced by Sachidanand Singh who was earlier posted at the Police Lines.