india

Updated: Apr 27, 2019 13:51 IST

Unidentified criminals shot dead two mahadalits as they were sleeping on a plot outside their home at Nadiyona village under Deepnagar police station area in Nalanda district late last night.

Police said that three outlaws gunned down Vishundeo Manjhi (60) and his son Anandi Manjhi (23) that triggered tension in the area.

The incident offered the opposition parties a ready made issue to corner the ruling dispensation in the midst of elections, as it happened in the home district of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes had sought a detailed report from the Nalanda district administration on the issue.

The situation became critical after members of the Dalit community raised slogans against the administration and demanded arrest of the culprit besides ex-gratia immediately for the kin of the victims.

Police are still clueless about the assailant but suspect the murder to be an act of revenge. However, the family has not made any such claim yet.

Former chief minister and Mahadalit leader Jitan Ram Manji condemn the barbaric incident and alleged that the law and order situation has failed in the state.

Villagers claimed that the local henchman of sand mafia is behind the incident because the duo had refused to lift the sand for the illegal sand mafia in the region.

Earlier on March 31, 2017, two brothers belong from Mahadalit community were shot dead in same village for the same reason. Police said both the deceased were relatives of Vishundeo Manjhi.

Police said that the incident took place when motor bike borne five armed criminals came in the night when both of them were asleep. They started firing at them killing the two on the spot.

The police reached the spot with a dog squad and a forensic team but have got no concrete leads so far. The family has not named any suspect but police are exploring the angle of an old feud or dispute over illegal mining of sand.

Nalanda SP Nilesh Kumar said, an FIR has been registered against the assailant under section 302 (murder) of IPC and sections 25/54/59 of Arms Act at Deepnagar police station.

“We are investigating from all the angles and the picture will be clear soon,” said Nilesh, adding that a posse of additional police personnel have been posted in the village and the situation is fully under control.

Special teams had been formed to nab the culprits.