Brahmeshwar Singh “Mukhiya”

Ara, Aug. 22: A war of supremacy has ensued between the family members of the slain Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh “Muk-hiya” and his erstwhile protégé and JD(U) MLA from Terari, Sunil Pandey, in the aftermath of the former’s murder.

Brahmeshwar’s son, Indubhushan, and Sunil, the don-turned-legislator, are heading for a showdown, as both the leaders have announced to observe the birth anniversary of “Ranvir Baba”, an inspiration behind the dismantled militia, at Belaur, around 140km from Patna, on October 8.

In fact, Pandey, once a Ranvir Sena operative — was believed to have fallen out from “mentor” Brahmeshwar before his murder at Katira on June 1.

The special investigation team (SIT) probing into the murder of the Mukhiya suspects the alleged involvement of Hulas Pandey, aJD(U) MLC and Sunil’s brother, besides several of their accomplices and associates in the crime.

Now, Sunil has formed Baba Ranvir Nyas Samiti, an outfit aimed at organising the local farmers in the region already infamous for violent caste conflict.

He has decided to observe Ranvir anniversary at Belaur.

Belaur, a Bhumihar dominated village in central Bihar’s Bhojpur district, was the venue of the formation of the Ranvir Sena that was involved in numerous clashes with the landless Dalits organised under the Naxalite outfits throughout the 90’s.

On the other hand, the Akhil Bhartiya Rastravadi Kisan Sangathan (ABRKS), led by Indubhushan, has already declared to hold the anniversary at Belaur on October 8.

After coming out of jail in 2009 and dismantling the Sena, “Mukhiya” had constituted the ABRKS. Indubhushan took over the outfit’s stewardship after his father’s death.

Vijay Choudhary, the president of the Baba Ranvir Nyas Samiti, said: “A particular family can not be allowed to have control over the organisation formed by ‘Mukhiya’ who had constituted a broad-based outfit (ABRKS) for the cause of the peasantry. We have formed Baba Ranvir Nyas Samiti, a real incarnation of the ABRKS, to take up the cause of the peasants and observe Ranvir Baba’s anniversary the way ‘Mukhiya’ observed.”

Indubhushan and his supporters have, in the meantime, been fanning out in various parts of Ara and Buxar region to garner support for the event.

“The ABRKS formed by Mukhiyaji was the natural outfit to observe Ranvir Baba’s anniversary. The organisation’s cadres have elected me as its president through due process,” he said, adding: “I am duty bound to carry on with the legacy of my father who lived and died for the cause of the farmers.”

Local observers describe the developments as the “war” between the two factions of the dismantled Sena to strengthen their clout over the upper caste Bhumihars who are numerically preponderant in the region.

Brahmeshwar, a Bhumihar, also had organised the Bhumihar landlords against the Dalits in the region.

The recent developments have generated panic in the area with the local people fearing violence in the wake of the two warring outfits deciding to show their strength at the same venue and same time.

“The area already has a violent history. It has witnessed many incidents of violent skirmishes in the past. We are feeling insecure with the two outfits girding their loins,” Ashok Kumar, a Pawar village resident, said.

Police, however, said they have been keeping a close watch on the situation.

“We, as of now, do not foresee disturbances. But we are watchful. We will take appropriate action at appropriate time,” superintendent of police, Bhojpur, M.R. Nayak said.

“Mukhiya” was shot dead when he was taking his ritual morning walk in an alley near his house.

He was released on bail last July after spending nine years in jail. Though “Mukhiya” was made accused in 22 cases, he was acquitted in 17 for want of evidence.

In April this year, he was acquitted in the Bathani Tola massacre in which 21 Dalits were butchered by the Ranvir Sena in 1996.

Mukhiya had always maintained he was falsely implicated in the cases, famously asking, 'Do I look like a murderer?' upon his release from Ara jail.

The most important case in which Mukhiya was facing trial pertained to the most chilling massacre perpetrated by the Ranvir Sena at Laxmanpur Bathe village in Jehanabad district on December 1, 1997, in which 61 Dalits were killed.

Ever since his release from jail, he was staying with Indubhushan.