Bihar journalist shot dead at his residence, CM calls it a 'Dukhad Ghatna'

Vimal Kumar, a local journalist employed with the ‘Dainik Jagran’ was shot dead by four gunmen in Bihar’s Araria district early on Friday morning. A resident of the Prem Nagar locality of Ranigunj Market area, police claim that the journalist was asleep when four unknown miscreants knocked on his door, upon opening the door Vimal were shot. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.  

Vimal’s body has been sent for autopsy. A forensics team accompanied by sniffer dogs reached the spot and surveyed the house. "In the Raniganj Bazar area, a journalist namely Vimal Kumar Yadav was shot dead by unidentified miscreants...post-mortem is being done, dog squad has been called to the murder spot...investigation is on and efforts to arrest the culprits are underway", said Ashok Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police, Araria.

Vimal sustained bullet injuries on his chest indicative of firing from a close proximity, police suspect that Vimal was the one who had opened the door.   Preliminary investigations indicate an old enmity with his neighbors could have been the cause of his death. A few years ago, Vimal’s brother too was shot dead; he was the only eye witness to the crime. Vimal had testified against the miscreants at court despite the numerous threats that he allegedly had received, police suspect that this could have led to his death.

Calling it a ‘dukhad ghatna’ (sad incident), Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on hearing the news, immediately sent investigating officers and teams to the crime spot. "How can a journalist be killed like this" he told reporters in Patna. On Thursday, the Bihar CM claimed that cases of crime of crime in his state are much lesser in comparison to the other states of the country. "The crime incidents are under control and the numbers of crimes are reducing. Look at the figures of crime incidents in Bihar it is much lower than the other states”, he said.

Taking a jibe at the Bihar CM, state BJP President, Samrat Chowdhury said, "Democracy is in danger in Bihar. Criminals are roaming freely while innocent citizens, including journalists, and even police personnel are being killed in Bihar." Questioning the functioning of the governing body of the state he added, "What has happened in Araria is, indeed, tragic. But such incidents have become the norm since the 'ghamandia' (arrogant) Mahagathbandhan led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad formed the government in the state.”

The District Journalist Association has vehemently condemned this act of terror. “The incident indicates how criminals are roaming freely on the streets and shooting anyone dead at their will. If journalists are not safe, what can be said about the safety of others?” said the President of the association, Amarendra Kumar Singh seeking a speedy investigation and the arrest of criminals.

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