Back-to-back shootings in Bihar leave businessman, vet, shopkeeper dead

A string of shootings over 24 hours across Bihar has left three men dead, including a prominent businessman, a veterinary doctor, and a grocery store owner, raising concerns over law and order in the poll-bound state.

In the first incident on Saturday, businessman Putu Khan was shot in the head at point-blank range by unidentified assailants at Mehsaul Chowk, the busiest market area in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district. CCTV footage of the attack has surfaced, showing Khan being targeted in broad daylight.

Khan succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a private hospital. Police arrived at the scene and began collecting CCTV footage from nearby shops to identify the attackers.

The killing led to tensions in the area. Family members, refusing to allow a post-mortem, staged a protest on the road with the body, demanding justice and alleging that the murder was linked to a land dispute involving Khan’s business. Media personnel were prevented from filming the scene, as tempers flared among locals.

Hours later, in Patna district, veterinary doctor Surendra Kumar (50) was shot in Sheikhpura village. According to officials, Kumar was irrigating his field when bike-borne gunmen opened fire at him.

He was found unconscious with bullet wounds and rushed to AIIMS Patna by villagers but died during treatment. Police are questioning locals and have sent the body for post-mortem.

“No eyewitnesses have come forward so far. We are investigating all angles,” a police official told India Today.

Surendra Kumar was known in the area as a former block president of the BJP’s Kisan Morcha. Political motives have not been ruled out.

These killings come on the heels of yet another incident on Friday evening in Patna, where grocery shop owner Vikram Jha was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in the Ramkrishna Nagar area. Police have launched an investigation, but said the motive remains unclear.

No arrests have been made so far in any of the three cases.

The back-to-back murders have stirred panic and criticism, with the JD(U)-BJP ruling alliance facing heat over the state’s worsening law and order situation, not only from opposition leaders but from allies too.

“How many more murders will Biharis have to face? It is beyond comprehension what the responsibility of the Bihar Police is,” Union Minister and BJP ally Chirag Paswan tweeted in Hindi on Saturday.

On the other hand, those in the Nitish Kumar-led administration seem to be in denial about the crime surge or busy assigning blame elsewhere. While Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary claimed there was no organised crime and only good governance in the state, his colleague Vijay Kumar Sinha pointed the finger at the opposition.

"The government is taking action. RJD people are involved... As the election is approaching, they are trying to create chaos," the Deputy Chief Minister alleged.

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