Villagers block road after youth is shot in Siwan

Patna: Angered by the killing of a 23-year-old youth in Siwan district, villagers blocked Nautan-Jagdishpur road on Sunday morning, demanding the arrest of the accused and the visit of the SP to the spot. The victim was shot dead outside his house in Rampur village under Nautan police station area in the district late Saturday night.

The deceased was identified as Bullet Ansari, son of Nasrullah Ansari.

According to family members, around armed assailants arrived near Bullet Ansari’s house and attacked him. Hearing the commotion, his father rushed to the spot. The assailants then allegedly opened fire in which Bullet sustained a gunshot injury to the head, while his father narrowly escaped. The attackers fled while firing.

Family members and locals rushed Bullet Ansari to a nearby health centre, from where he was referred to Siwan Sadar Hospital and later to Gorakhpur due to his critical condition. However, he died on the way.

On Sunday, after the body reached the village following the postmortem, angry villagers and family members blocked the Nautan-Jagdishpur road. Protesters raised slogans against the police administration and set tyres on fire, disrupting traffic for several hours. They demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and warned of continuing the agitation until the culprits were caught.

The victim’s father alleged that the attackers were linked to the illegal liquor trade and had targeted his son. He denied any previous personal dispute.

Police sources, however, claimed that both the deceased and the accused were allegedly involved in the liquor business and had a long-standing rivalry over control of alcohol sales in the area.

Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha said a special investigation team has been formed under Sadar-II SDPO Gauri Kumari to arrest the accused. “Police are conducting raids and all accused will be arrested soon,” he said.

The SP added that police patrolling in the village would be intensified to prevent any untoward incident. Sadar-II SDPO, Sadar SDPO Ajay Kumar Singh and police personnel from several stations reached the spot to pacify the protesters. The blockade was lifted after assurances from the police, though tension continues to prevail in the village.