Journalist Shot Dead In Bihar's Araria, Old Feud With Neighbour Suspected; CM Nitish Kumar Expresses Concern

The police have identified the deceased journalist as Vimal Kumar Yadav. He worked for Hindi newspaper Dainik Jagran.

Updated on: 18 August 2023 10:35 am

A person pointing a gun. (Representational image)

A journalist was shot dead on Friday in the Raniganj Bazar area of Bihar's Araria district.

The police have identified the deceased journalist as Vimal Kumar Yadav. He worked for Hindi newspaper Dainik Jagran. "The assailants knocked at the gates of Yadav's house around 5.30 am and opened fire as soon as he opened the gates," the Bihar Police tweeted.

In a follow-up tweet, the police said Yadav had longstanding animosity with his neighbour.

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 body has been sent for post-mortem examination. An investigation is underway. Forensic experts and the dog squad have been called in. The deceased was said to be involved in an old dispute with a neighbour. All angles are being probed into," said Araria SP Ashok Kumar Singh, as per PTI.

Meanwhile, members of Bihar Working Journalist Union, Patna held a protest on the murder of the journalist and demanded guarantee of security for journalists from Bihar government.

Bihar Chief Minister Reacts

When journalists approached Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna with queries about the murder, he said, "I felt really sad and immediately asked officials concerned to look into the incident...The matter is being probed and the culprits will be brought to book."

However, the Opposition in the state lashed out at the government and claimed the incident showed "democracy is in danger in Bihar".

"Criminals are roaming freely while innocent citizens, including journalists, and even police personnel are being killed in Bihar...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," said BJP president Samrat Choudhary, as per PTI.

Former Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan, who has realigned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said, "Nitish Kumar and his allies keep shouting that democracy is under attack in Bihar. But they are unable to protect the fourth estate."

Referring to the killing of a police officer recently in Samastipur, Paswan said, "The common Bihari gave up all hopes from Nitish Kumar long back. But his government cannot protect even the police and the press."