Anant Singh’s aide attacked at Pandarak Bazaar, FIR lodged

Patna: Tension between the factions of Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his rival Surajbhan Singh has flared again after the recent Bihar assembly polls, with a close aide of Anant Singh allegedly attacked and nearly strangled in Pandarak Bazaar on Feb 22.According to police, an attempt was made to murder Shobhir Singh, a close associate of Anant Singh, on Sunday. A group of assailants surrounded and allegedly tried to strangle him with a towel and severely assaulted around 3pm after he left his home. Based on Shobhir’s complaint, police have registered an FIR against eight people and the investigating the case.In a complaint filed by the victim, Omkar alias Mithun, Vikas Kumar, Madhav Kumar alias Khanna (Surajbhan’s brother-in-law), Suman Kumar, Anil Singh alias Aklu Singh, and Kishu Kumar have been named accused.The victim alleged that Madhav and Omkar tied a towel around his neck with the intent to kill him. Simultaneously, the others assaulted him with kicks, punches, and the butt of a pistol. Shobhir eventually fainted and regained consciousness at the Pandarak primary health centre (PHC), from where he was referred to a hospital in Patna.Pandarak SHO Navneet Rai said the case was registered on Feb 23, in which eight people are accused including Surajbhan and his brother-in-law. “No arresting has been made yet. The police are investigating the case,” he said.