Patna, July 30: Another murder in Patna has set the alarm bells ringing for the Bihar government, which has been convening meeting after meeting to chalk ways to curb criminal incidents in the state.

Three days after the killing of a bus company owner, followed by an emergency meeting of Nitish with the police top brass on Thursday, criminals struck again today, killing a 45-year-old man outside a temple in Patna City.

Vijay Yadav, a resident of the Gurhatta Mittanghat area under Khajekala police station, was coming out of a Shiv temple around 7.30am when three men, waiting at the entrance, fired six shots at him from close range. Two bullets hit Yadav, one on his neck and the other in the chest, killing him on the spot.

Tension spread in the area soon after the incident and a high alert was sounded at all Patna City police stations, as the temple is located in a minority-dominated area.

Yadav, who is survived by his wife and two children, was into realty business. Police sources claimed the murder was a result of business rivalry.

Police officers later claimed Yadav had criminal antecendents too, and he had served jail twice in two separate cases.

“He had landed in jail in connection with an Arms Act case and also in a case related to doubling of money. The police, at present, are examining the case details of the deceased. In addition to this, raids are on in different parts of the area to nab the assailants,” said deputy superintendent of police (Patna City) Sushil Kumar.

The officer said an FIR against three persons has been lodged at the Khajekala police station in connection with the murder.

“One of the brothers of the deceased has lodged an FIR against Babloo Yadav, Dhiru Yadav and Ghuttan Yadav for involvement in the murder. As of now, the police are not in a position to give more details on the exact reason behind the crime and also the background of the culprits involved,” the DSP said.

Police ruled out any communal tension in the area.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Alok Kumar reached the spot to take stock of the situation.

Residents of the area said Yadav was a regular at the temple. “He used to come for prayers almost everyday. It is clear that those who killed him knew about his routine and were waiting for him. We don’t know about his (Yadav) criminal background, but he never used to get into problems with anyone,” a resident of the area said.

The murder has once again put a question mark on the efficiency of the state police in checking incidents of crime.

On July 27, Ravikant Choudhary, a private bus operator, was shot dead at the Mithapur bus stand. The police have still not been successful in tracing the killers though SSP Alok Kumar claimed the case would be cracked soon.

The SSP also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for giving information to the police about the criminals involved in the murder.

Crime incidents have continued unabated despite a perturbed chief minister holding two sessions with top brass of the police within a week (on Tuesday and Thursday) and ordering the officials to ensure: “In no way, the lawbreakers are allowed to regain their spirits.”