Two RJD leaders shot dead in Samastipur

TNN / Apr 14, 2006, 02:04 IST

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Prior to the panchayat polls in the state, two local senior RJD leaders were shot dead in Samastipur on Thursday.

SAMASTIPUR/PATNA: Prior to the panchayat polls in the state, two local senior RJD leaders were shot dead in Samastipur on Thursday, triggering widespread protest in which an illegal gas agency and over 200 shops were set ablaze.
Samastipur SP A K Ambedkar said four motorcycle-borne persons, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired several rounds at RJD's Samastipur district vice president Akhilesh Rai and Samastipur block president Ramupdesh Rai, killing both of them on the spot.
The assailants used AK-47 and AK-56 rifles to shoot down the two at Musrigharari bazaar, he said. As news of the killing spread, hundreds of villagers of Bathua and Mohanpur descended on the streets, set afire an illegal gas agency at the market and burnt over 200 shops, official sources said. Additional police force have been rushed from Samastipur to Mushrigharari to control the situation.
According to reports, the supporters of the deceased went on a rampage at Musharigharari and burnt down several shops. They also put up road blockade at Samastipur.

Samastipur SP A K Ambedkar said police patrolling has been intensified in the affected areas. The SP said political rivalry might be the reason behind the killing.
Till the time of reporting, the police had failed to make any arrest in this connection. Situation is tense, but under control. Senior police officers, including IG (Darbhanga zone) and DIG (Darbhanga zone) have also arrived at Samastipur, sources said, adding riot control vehicles have also arrived at Samastipur.
Meanwhile, the RJD has expressed its deep shock and anguish over the killing of its Samastipur unit vice president and treasurer Akhilesh Rai and Samastipur block president Ram Uddesh Rai by criminals.
State RJD chief Abdul Bari Siddiqui, principal general secretary Ram Kripal Yadav, national general secretary Shyam Rajak and Ram Bachan Rai said both the RJD leaders were killed under a planned conspiracy.
The RJD leaders also accused the NDA government of surrendering before the criminals and said its claim of good governance was being exposed every day.
The RJD workers were being selectively killed and hundreds of partymen have been murdered after the formation of NDA government, they alleged. Both the slain RJD leaders were candidates in the district board elections.
The RJD has demanded immidiate arrest of the culprits and suitable compensation to the families of the deceased. The local RJD unit has given a call for Samastipur bandh on Friday in protest against the killings.

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