Tension gripped Ranchi’s Kanke Road area after Chowpatty Restaurant owner Vijay Nag was shot dead late Saturday night following an argument over a food order.
According to police, the dispute began when a group of customers who had ordered vegetarian biryani were mistakenly served non-vegetarian biryani. The altercation escalated and one of the men allegedly opened fire, killing the restaurant owner on the spot.
The incident sparked outrage in the locality. On Sunday morning, hundreds of residents gathered on the Ranchi-Pithoria Road and blocked traffic for over an hour, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.
The protestors accused the police of negligence and alleged that rising lawlessness in the capital has emboldened criminals. Kanke MLA Surendra Baitha reached the spot and appealed for calm. The blockade was lifted after police officials assured the crowd that the accused would be arrested within 24 hours.
The Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce condemned the incident, calling it deeply disturbing and an indication of deteriorating law and order in Ranchi. In a statement, Trilochan Singh, chairman of the Chamber’s Hotel and Banquet Sub-Committee, said the killing of a restaurant operator over a food dispute was unacceptable and a matter of grave concern for the hospitality sector. He urged the administration to take swift and strong action against the perpetrators and to reinforce security in the city.
At an emergency meeting held at the Chamber office, office-bearers expressed concern over the growing number of violent incidents during the festive season. President Aditya Malhotra, Vice-President Praveen Lohia, Secretary General Rohit Agarwal, Joint Secretary Navjot Alang and Treasurer Anil Agarwal were present. Law and Order Sub-Committee chairman Mukesh Agarwal visited the site and met police officers to press for immediate action.
Secretary General Rohit Agarwal said despite police presence, the recurrence of daylight murders and shootings showed that criminals no longer fear the law. He demanded stronger policing and accountability to restore confidence among the business community.
The police have initiated an investigation and assured that those involved in the murder will be apprehended soon. Additional forces have been deployed in the area to maintain order.