Villagers Attack Police After Ward Councillor's Husband Shot Dead in Bihar

Anger boiled over in Bihar's Sitamarhi district on Saturday when villagers turned their fury on police officials responding to the brutal shooting of a local ward councillor's husband. The chaotic scene unfolded just hours after Baidyanath Mahto was gunned down during his morning walk, sparking allegations of police inaction and fueling tensions in the small village of Kaitharia.

A Morning Walk Turns Deadly

Baidyanath Mahto had stepped out for his regular morning stroll around 6:30 a.m. when unidentified criminals approached him and opened fire at close range. The attack left multiple wounds to his head and body—villagers later claimed eight bullets had pierced his body. The shooting occurred barely two weeks after Mahto had filed a formal complaint at Dumra Police Station against several named individuals, alleging they had previously attempted to kill him.

Police Response Meets Village Fury

When Superintendent of Police Amit Ranjan arrived to assess the situation, he encountered a community already pushed to its breaking point. The villagers' frustration over what they saw as police indifference erupted into violence. Stones flew through the air as the mob targeted police vehicles, overturning one and leaving it battered on the roadside. Two officers sustained serious head injuries in the melee.

"Continuous raids are being conducted to identify and arrest the individuals involved in the incident. The concerned Station House Officer (SHO) and the Investigating Officer of the case have been suspended with immediate effect on charges of negligence in the discharge of their duties," Mr. Ranjan said.

Conflicting Claims and Ongoing Investigation

Villagers pointed fingers at the local liquor mafia, claiming Mahto had been vocal against their operations in the area. Meanwhile, the SP office maintained that after the August 29 shooting attempt, one accused had already surrendered to the court, with warrants pending for others. Forensic teams combed the crime scene while authorities reviewed CCTV footage from nearby cameras. Additional magistrates and police personnel were deployed to restore order, with senior officials monitoring the tense situation throughout the day.