Bhagalpur firing case: Encounter of key accused triggers political slugfest

Ramdhani Yadav, the prime accused in Tuesday’s sensational Sultanganj shootout in Bhagalpur district of Bihar, was killed in a police encounter on Wednesday morning. The development has triggered instant political reactions across Bihar, further intensifying concerns over law and order in the state.

While leaders of the ruling alliance have praised the swift police action, the Opposition has accused the NDA of protecting criminals following the identification of the main accused.

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On Tuesday, three masked assailants entered the Municipal Council office in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, and opened indiscriminate fire. In the attack, Executive Officer Krishna Bhushan Kumar died on the spot, while Chairman Rajkumar alias Guddu was seriously injured.

Following the incident, police acted swiftly and detained two suspects. The main accused, Ramdhani Yadav, was later killed in an encounter early Wednesday.

According to Bhagalpur District Magistrate Nawal Kishor Chaudhary, Ramdhani Yadav was married to Neelam Devi, the Vice Chairperson of Sultangunj Municipal Council who allegedly orchestrated the attack on Chairman Rajkumar alias Guddu “because of personal rivalry”.

Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav launched a sharp attack on the NDA government in Bihar, accusing it of shielding criminals. He shared two photographs on X. In one, the slain accused is seen with BJP National President Nitin Nabin, and in the other, with LJP (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan.

Earlier, sharing CCTV footage of the incident, Tejashwi wrote, “During the Bihar elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged BJP goons by singing ‘Marab sixer ki 6 goli chhaati mein.’ Now, those criminals themselves are ruling. In a BJP government, murders now fall under ‘Mangal Raj’ (good governance).”

Responding to the allegations, former Union Minister and BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav said whoever commits a crime will be punished. Calling the RJD a party of goons, he asserted that this is the rule of law where hooliganism and criminal activity will not be tolerated.

JDU legislative party leader Shravan Kumar termed the incident “very unfortunate” but said action has been taken against the guilty and no one will be spared. “If you take the law into your hands, strict action will follow. This is just the beginning, more such action will be taken,” he said.

HAM (S) Supremo and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also hit back, saying “bullets will be answered with cannon fire.” Praising the police action, he made strong allegations against Tejashwi Yadav.