Patna: The spectre of violence looms large over Lakhisarai district following the murder of a daily wage worker, allegedly by the sand mafia, in Chanan police station area on Tuesday.

Ashok Yadav alias Dingar, 45, a resident of Khatakpar village in Lakhisarai district, was shot dead, allegedly by henchmen of notorious gangster Jeevan Yadav for objecting to extortion collected from vehicles that transport sand.

Labourers who lift sand from Kiul river raised a banner of revolt against the murder. "We'll teach him (Jeevan) a lesson," said a resident. "My son was killed for speaking the truth," Ashok's mother Chinta Devi said. "The police should initiate immediate action," his father Andhi Yadav said.

Jeevan, younger brother of Suryagarha's RJD MLA Prahlad Yadav, used to extort Rs 200 each from vehicles engaged in illegal mining and transportation of sand. On an average, 100 tractors and trucks used to transport sand from Khatakpar sand ghat every day. Last week, Jeevan's associates threatened residents of Khairi, Piparia and Malpur villages with dire consequences if they did not pay extortion. "Tension was brewing since. But on Tuesday criminals attacked Ashok, killing him on the spot," a resident of Malpur said.

Lakhisarai superintendent of police (SP) Arvind Thakur said Jeevan's name cropped up during interrogation. Sources said his involvement in the murder of four labourers over illegal sand mining in Lakhisarai had come to the fore earlier this year. "We've set up a special investigation team (SIT) led by a DSP-rank officer to arrest the accused," Thakur said. Deputy SP Pankaj Kumar said four sand smugglers were arrested on Wednesday.

Chanan police station house officer (SHO) S.K. Jha said the used cartridge of a 303 rifle was seized from the spot.

He said a special drive was launched in Malighat area a few days ago and two tractors laden with sand seized.