Bihar’s Democracy Is In Danger: Journalist Shot Dead, Chief Minister Reacts

According to the Bihar Police, unidentified assailants shot and killed a local journalist in the Araria district of Bihar this morning at his home. The incident happened close to Raniganj Bazaar. The occurrence has been referred to as “dukhad” (sad) by the chief minister, Nitish Kumar, who also added that as soon as he heard the news, he immediately ordered officials to look into the crime. In Patna, he told reporters, “How can a journalist be killed like this.”

According to police, the 35-year-old victim was a local journalist for the publication “Dainik Jagran.” Around 5:30 am, the assailants allegedly shouted his name, knocked on his door, and shot him in the chest when he opened the door.

Around 5:35 am, the head of the neighbourhood police station arrived and started looking into the situation. Araria, the Superintendent of Police, has also been to the location. A forensics team and a dog squad are on the scene, according to the police, who also stated that the dead corpse has been transported for an autopsy.

According to preliminary investigations, the event may have been caused by an existing grudge between the man and his neighbours, according to the police.

अररिया के रानीगंज थाना अंतर्गत दिo 18.08.23 को करीब 05ः30 बजे ग्राम-प्रेमनगर में विमल कुमार (35 वर्ष), सा0-प्रेमनगर को अज्ञात अपराधकर्मियों के द्वारा उनके दरवाजे पर जाकर आवाज देकर बुलाया गया और गोली मार दी गई, जिससे विमल यादव की मृत्यु हो गई।(1/3)#BiharPolice

— Bihar Police (@bihar_police) August 18, 2023

The victim’s younger brother, sarpanch Kumar Shashibhushan alias Gabbu, was assassinated in a similar way two years prior. The case’s primary witness, Vimal Kumar Yadav, was assassinated, and it’s thought that may have something to do with it. In the ongoing court case, Mr. Yadav had not yet provided a deposition against the murderer of his brother. According to reports, he had received numerous threats urging him not to.

According to ADG (HQ) Jitendra Singh Gangwar, it’s probable that the defendant thought Mr. Yadav’s testimony was essential to the case after reading the charge sheet. According to Mr. Gangwar, the police will look into this possibility because Mr. Yadav’s family has also suggested a connection between the two homicides.

“Unknown perpetrators shot and killed journalist Vimal Kumar Yadav in the Raniganj Bazar neighbourhood; an autopsy is being conducted. The murder scene has received a call from the dog squad. Ashok Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police, Araria, stated that an inquiry was ongoing.

Vimal Kumar Yadav is survived by a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.

The opposition criticised the administration and asserted that the episode proved “Bihar’s democracy is in danger.” According to state BJP president Samrat Choudhary, “Criminals are roaming free while innocent citizens, including journalists and even police personnel, are being killed in Bihar.”

“What happened in Araria is tragic in fact. But since the ‘ghamandia’ (arrogant) Mahagathbandhan led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad formed the administration in the state, such occurrences have become the norm,’ said the BJP leader, whose party previously shared power in the state with Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).

Chirag Paswan, a former leader of the Lok Janshakti Party and current member of the BJP-led NDA, stated: “Nitish Kumar and his friends constantly yelling that Bihar’s democracy is being attacked. However, they are powerless to defend the fourth estate. Mr. Paswan remarked in reference to the recent murder of a police officer in Samastipur, “The common Bihari gave up all aspirations from Nitish Kumar long ago. But not even the press and the police are safe from his government.