Bihar Journalist Fatally Shot at Home; Chief Minister Reacts
A local journalist in Bihar’s Araria district was tragically shot and killed this morning at his residence by unidentified gunmen, according to Bihar Police. The incident occurred in the Raniganj Bazaar area. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his sorrow over the incident, terming it a “dukhad” (sad) event. He promptly instructed officials to initiate an investigation upon learning of the news. “How can a journalist meet such a fate?” he questioned while addressing reporters in Patna.
The victim, Vimal Kumar Yadav, 35, was employed as a local journalist for the ‘Dainik Jagran’ newspaper, as confirmed by the police. Around 5:30 am, unknown assailants knocked on his door, called out his name, and shot him in the chest upon opening the door.
By 5:35 am, the local police station chief had arrived at the scene to conduct preliminary inquiries. The Superintendent of Police for Araria also visited the location. The deceased’s body has been sent for an autopsy, with a forensics team and a dog squad present at the scene.
अररिया के रानीगंज थाना अंतर्गत दिo 18.08.23 को करीब 05ः30 बजे ग्राम-प्रेमनगर में विमल कुमार (35 वर्ष), सा0-प्रेमनगर को अज्ञात अपराधकर्मियों के द्वारा उनके दरवाजे पर जाकर आवाज देकर बुलाया गया और गोली मार दी गई, जिससे विमल यादव की मृत्यु हो गई।(1/3)#BiharPolice
— Bihar Police (@bihar_police) August 18, 2023
Initial findings suggest that an unresolved feud with his neighbors might have precipitated the incident, the police reported.
Two years ago, Vimal Kumar Yadav’s younger brother, Kumar Shashibhushan alias Gabbu, who served as a sarpanch, was killed under similar circumstances. Vimal Kumar Yadav was a key witness in that case, and it is suspected that his murder might be linked to his impending testimony. Mr. Yadav had allegedly received multiple threats warning him against testifying.
ADG (HQ) Jitendra Singh Gangwar mentioned the possibility that the perpetrators, upon reviewing the charge sheet, perceived Mr. Yadav’s testimony as pivotal to the case. The police will explore this aspect, given that Mr. Yadav’s family has drawn a connection between the two murders, Mr. Gangwar stated.
“In the Raniganj Bazar area, a journalist named Vimal Kumar Yadav was shot dead by unidentified criminals…post-mortem is underway. The dog squad has been called to the murder spot…An investigation is on,” stated Ashok Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police, Araria.
Vimal Kumar Yadav is survived by his 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
Opposition parties criticized the government and asserted that the incident reflects a “threat to democracy in Bihar.” State BJP president Samrat Choudhary alleged, “Criminals are roaming freely while innocent citizens, including journalists, and even police personnel are being killed in Bihar.” He also remarked on the prevailing situation since the state was under the rule of the Mahagathbandhan coalition led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad.
(Note: “Mahagathbandhan” refers to a political alliance of multiple parties in India.)
