Patna: Two murders in the past 24 hours in Naubatpur area, 30km west of Patna, have put a question mark on Patna police's claim of satisfactory law and order in the district.
The murders of Paras Nath Rai, a farmer, land-broker, social worker and BJP leader, and Anjay Singh, a farmer come close on the heels of a shooting incident at Bihta Bazar last month, following which traders had downed shutters for a week in protest against growing criminal activities in the area.
In the first incident, unidentified men pumped bullets into Paras Nath Rai, 55, from a window of his house in Pali village while he watched television in his ground floor room. Rai's wife and other family members were on the first floor.
On hearing the gunshot, the family members rushed downstairs to find Rai lying in a pool of blood. They immediately took Rai to Naubatpur Public Health Centre from where he was referred to Hitech hospital at Sauguna Mor. Doctors at Hitech hospital referred Rai to PMCH, but Rai died on the way to PMCH. "Rai sustained bullet injuries in his chest," Naubatpur police station house officer Ramakant Tiwari said.
Rai is survived by his wife and a daughter, who is married. The police suspect business rivalry or a land dispute as the reason behind the murder.
"Rai was involved in purchase and sale of land in Bihta/Naubatpur area because of which he had differences with several people," said a resident of Pali village on condition of anonymity. "He was also close to Ramjanm Sharma, a former BJP MLA from Paliganj Assembly segment."
In the second incident, Anjay Singh, a farmer, was shot dead by unidentified people at Abhranchak village under Naubatpur police station area. Police sources said family members found his body on the farm premises on Thursday. "The family informed police about Anjay's murder in the morning," Phulwari deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Ramakant Prasad said.
The murder might have been committed on Wednesday night, as he was found sleeping. "The police, based on a complaint filed by Anjay's brother Vijay, have lodged an FIR against Shailesh Singh, Jhablu and Jataha, a local criminal. Police sources said Shailesh had a dispute with Vijay and Anjay after last year's local body election.
News about the murders in Naubatpur area spread like wild fire. "The police are yet to arrest the main accused who fired at Keshri Medical Agency agent Rajiv Bharti," said Bihta Vyavsayi Sangh president Ajit Singh. "They opened a police picket at Bihta Bazar, but that has not helped the police gain the confidence of traders from Bihta, Naubatpur and Paliganj area."
