Two more killed, DGP flags proliferation of firearms

{ STRING OF MURDERS IN POLL-BOUND STATE

- Avinash Kumar

Two persons were Killed and six injured in five incidents of firing by anti-socials in separate incidents in Begusarai, Samastipur, Madhubani and Patna districts within 24 hours, police said on Monday. A robber was also injured in an exchange of fire with police in rural Patna, they added.

Over the past 10 days, a businessman Gopal Khemka, BJP leader Surendra Kumar Kewat, a shopkeeper, a high court lawyer, and a school teacher have been shot dead in Bihar. The string of killings has rocked the poll-bound state.

In the latest cases, a 40-year-old woman named Asma Khatoon was hacked to death near Bhutahi-Balan river under Laukaha police station of Madhubani district. The reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained, police said. Asma ran a tea stall near the bank of the river. Her body was found lying in a pool of blood. She had as usual opened her stall when she was killed.

At Begusarai, armed assailants fired on three persons Amit Kumar, Shivam Kumar and Prince Kumar near Power House railway crossing under Lohiyanagar police station. One of them died during treatment, while two others are in hospital.

Begusarai SP Maneesh said the incident took place around 11.30 am on Monday when they were sitting near the railway crossing.

“Four criminals on two bikes reached the spot and fired on them from point blank range. Amit, Shivam and Prince were rushed to the hospital with the help of locals but Amit succumbed to his injury,” said Maneesh, adding raids were on to nab the culprits. The reason behind the incident is said to be old enmity between them.

At Patna’s Kab village under Ranitalab police station, a robber identified as Suraj Kumar was injured in an exchange of fire with police, while one of his associates was arrested. Police recovered a country-made pistol and four live cartridges from Suraj’s possession.