Trader shot dead in Muzaffarpur; police begin probe

Patna: Motorcycle-borne criminals shot dead a trader dealing in stone chips and sand on Bazar Samiti Road under Ahiyapur police station area of Muzaffarpur district on Monday.

According to information, Prabhakar Singh (42) was coming from Ahiyapur Chowk side towards Bada Jagannath when the assailants overtook his bike near Hanuman Mandir at Bada Jagannath Chowk and fired around three rounds, hitting him in the back and chest. He fell on the road along with his bike near the temple. Local people rushed him to a hospital located in Bairiya, where doctors declared him dead.

To protest the incident, local residents and businessmen blocked Bazar Samiti Road. They demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the killing and security for them.

Prabhakar was a native of Berua village in Gaighat police station area of Muzaffarpur district, but he had constructed a house in Bada Jagannath locality under Ahiyapur police station area. He was associated with the stone chips and sand business for a long time. He also owned a shop at Gerua Chowk and was involved in property dealings.

Upon receiving information about the murder, Muzaffarpur SSP Kantesh Kumar Mishra, City SP Mohibullah Ansari and Town SDPO-II Vinita Sinha also reached the spot and pacified the protesting mob.

The SSP said, “A special investigation team has been formed under Town SDPO-II to probe the case. Footage from nearby CCTV cameras is being scanned to identify the attackers and trace their escape route. Two unidentified assailants were involved in the shooting. Prima facie it appears that Prabhakar was shot more than twice.”

The SSP further said three empty shells were recovered from the spot. Police are investigating all angles, including land and money disputes, he added.