Villagers had intercepted the vehicle, but its occupants fled. (Source: ANI) Villagers had intercepted the vehicle, but its occupants fled. (Source: ANI)

Two journalists were killed when an SUV rammed into their bike in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Sunday night. However, the family of one of the journalists alleged that it was a case of murder and a former village head was behind it, police said on Monday. ANI quoted police as saying that Ahmed Ali alias Harsu, the husband of the previous village head, had been arrested as locals burnt a vehicle and blocked the Arrah-Sasaram state highway demanding strict action against the culprits.

Naveen and his friend Vijay Singh were on their way to Nahsi village when they were crushed to death by the SUV. Villagers had intercepted the vehicle, but its occupants fled. The mob set the SUV on fire, Avakash Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Bhojpur, said. Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar, SDPO, said police had come to know that there was an argument between the two sides before the incident. “We have been told that there was an argument between the two parties post which this incident took place. Investigation will be done to bring out the truth,” Kumar said.

Rajesh, brother of Naveen, who worked for a Hindi daily, alleged in the FIR that it was a case of murder and Harsu and his son Dabloo were behind it. The SUV belongs to Harsu, who is believed to have been nursing a grouse against the reporter. Nikhil, son of one of the journalists, said his father had got into an argument with someone before the incident and called it a “conspiracy”. “He had gone to have paan and got into argument with someone. While returning, he was hit by a Scorpio being driven by Harsu. There were two bikes behind it. He fled from spot on one of the bikes. It’s a conspiracy,” ANI quoted Nikhil as saying.

Efforts are on to nab Dabloo. PTI reported that villagers had also vandalised the house of the ex-village head. Police have been deployed in the village where the situation is tense but under control.

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