Patna, Sept. 30: Police opened fire to disperse a violent mob that went on the rampage and engaged in arson and brick batting at Nawada collectorate after the murder of a prominent businessman, Sanjay Kumar Verma, in the high-security zone today.

Nawada sub-divisional officer (SDO) S.Z. Hasan received severe injuries on his head in the stone pelting. District magistrate (DM) Safina A.N. and superintendent of police (SP) Pankaj Kumar Raj had to face the wrath of the mob protesting against the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the town in general and attack on the business community in particular.

Sources said two armed assailants fired at Sanjay Kumar Verma, 35, from close range when he and his younger brother Dhananjay were on their way to their jewellery shop from their residence at Ramnagar on a motorbike. While Sanjay died on the spot, Dhananjay was seriously injured in the indiscriminate firing.

The incident happened around 10am when there was traffic rush on the road. The official residences of the DM and the SDO, besides the civil court, are located a stone’s throw away from the spot of crime.

The criminals, who too were on a two-wheeler and reportedly waiting for the victims, could not lay their hands on the bag containing jewellery. The injured pillion rider was rushed to the Nawada Sadar Hospital by the residents.

As the news of the murder spread in the town, a large number of residents and businessmen gathered at the Sadar hospital. They blocked the road near Nawada Chowk and disrupted vehicular traffic.

The protesters started shouting slogans against the SP when the latter reached the hospital to know about the condition of the injured. They pelted stones at the official vehicle of the SP, who had to confine himself to the emergency ward of the hospital to escape mob fury. He could leave the hospital premises only when reinforcements were called from the adjoining police stations.

The mob that followed him to his office demanded immediate arrest of the men involved in the crime. The protesters later reached the collectorate and damaged the windscreens of the official and private vehicles parked there. A Bolero was set on fire by the mob while windscreens of several other vehicles were smashed.

When the DM came out of her office around 2pm and tried to persuade the crowd, a section of the agitators attacked her near the collectorate gate. Somehow, she managed to escape unhurt. Subsequently, SDO Hasan was attacked and he suffered serious injuries on his head.

Apprehending the situation may go out of control, the police opened fire in the air. No one was injured in the firing. Later, the police chased the agitators and beat up some passers-by.

SP Pankaj Kumar described the situation in the town as tense but under control. “Additional armed police force has been deployed in the town as a precautionary measure. Patrolling has been intensified,” he told The Telegraph.

He said the reason behind the murder of the jeweller was yet to be ascertained. “Raids are on to arrest the criminals involved in the incident,” he added.

The SP said Dhananjay has been referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment. “His statement will be recorded after his condition becomes stable,” the SP said.

Taking a serious note of the incident, the state police headquarters has sent deputy inspector-general (DIG) Kamal Kishore Singh to Nawada to take stock of the situation. Singh, who is posted with the Criminal Investigation Department, is holding additional charge, as Magadh range DIG N.H. Khan is on leave.

The DM is learnt to have submitted a report to the divisional commissioner on poor handling of the situation by the SP and other police officers. “I have ordered an inquiry into the whole incident, which led to the protest at the collectorate,” Safina told reporters after the incident.

Residents alleged that murder, kidnap, extortion and loot have become the order of the day in Nawada these days. “This is the fourth incident of attack on the members of the traders’ community in the town,” a shop owner said on condition of anonymity.

A hardware dealer, Pappu Kumar Burnawal, was kidnapped from Kauakol police station area in August. Two other businessmen — Gopal Sah and Vishnudeo Das — were also kidnapped. The police have failed to arrest the criminals in all the three kidnapping cases reported within three weeks of each other, sources said.

DIG Khan had suspended station house officer of Kauakol, Mahendra Prasad. Action was also taken against Prasad’s predecessor and SHO of Warsaliganj Roop Narain Ram for their failure to contain crime.