Journalist shot dead in Araria, Bihar; neighbor’s long-standing grudge suspected; CM Nitish Kumar expresses worry

In the Araria district of Bihar’s Raniganj Bazar neighborhood, a journalist was shot and killed on Friday.

Vimal Kumar Yadav has been recognized by the police as the dead journalist. He worked for the Dainik Jagran newspaper in Hindi. The Bihar Police stated, “The attackers knocked at Yadav’s gates around 5.30 am and opened fire as soon as he opened the gates.”

In a subsequent tweet, the police said that Yadav and his neighbor had a history of hostility.

“The post-mortem investigation of the corpse has been submitted. There is an inquiry going on. The dog squad and forensic specialists have been contacted. The deceased was allegedly engaged in a long-standing disagreement with a neighbor. According to PTI, Araria SP Ashok Kumar Singh said that all possibilities were being looked at.

In the meanwhile, Patna-based members of the Bihar Working Journalist Union protested the journalist’s death and called on the state of Bihar to ensure the safety of journalists.

Chief Minister of Bihar reacts
When reporters questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the murder in Patna, he said, “I felt terribly terrible and urged authorities to investigate into the situation…The incident is being investigated, and the offenders will face justice.

The state’s opposition, however, blasted the administration and said that the episode proved “Bihar’s democracy is in danger.”

“Criminals are at large while police officers and journalists, among other innocent individuals, are being slaughtered in Bihar…It is unfortunate what has occurred in Araria. But since the ‘ghamandia’ (arrogant) Mahagathbandhan headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad established the administration in the state, instances like these have become the norm, according to BJP President Samrat Choudhary, as reported by PTI.

Chirag Paswan, a former leader of the Lok Janshakti Party and current member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stated: “Nitish Kumar and his friends keep yelling that Bihar’s democracy is being attacked. However, they are unable to defend the fourth estate.

Paswan added in reference to the recent murder of a police officer in Samastipur, “The average Bihari gave up all aspirations from Nitish Kumar long ago. But not even the press and the police are safe from his regime.