A local journalist in Bihar's Araria district was shot dead this morning at his house by unidentified gunmen, Bihar Police said. The incident took place in the Raniganj Bazaar area. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called it a dukhad (sad) incident and said that on hearing the news, he immediately directed officials to investigate the crime. "How can a journalist be killed like this," he told reporters in Patna.
Vimal Kumar Yadav, the 35-year-old victim, worked as a local journalist for the 'Dainik Jagran' newspaper, police said. The gunmen knocked on his door and called his name at around 5:30 am, and shot him in the chest when he opened the door, they said.
The local police station chief reached the spot at around 5:35 am and investigated the matter. The Superintendent of Police, Araria has also visited the spot. The dead body was sent for an autopsy, police said, adding that a forensics team and a dog squad are at the spot.
Preliminary investigations indicate an old enmity with his neighbours could be the cause of the incident, police said.
Two years ago, the victim's younger brother Kumar Shashibhushan alias Gabbu, who was a sarpanch, was killed in the same manner. Vimal Kumar Yadav was the main witness in the case, and it is suspected his murder might be linked to it. Mr Yadav was yet to testify against his brother's killer during the ongoing court trial. He had allegedly received multiple threats warning him not to do so.
ADG (HQ) Jitendra Singh Gangwar said it is possible that the accused, after reading the charge sheet, believed Mr Yadav's testimony was critical to the case. The police will investigate this angle as Mr Yadav's family has also alleged a connection between the two murders, Mr Gangwar said.
"In the Raniganj Bazar area, a journalist namely 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," Ashok Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police, Araria, said.
Vimal Kumar Yadav is survived by a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.
The opposition lashed out at the government and claimed the incident showed "democracy is in danger in Bihar". "Criminals are roaming freely while innocent citizens, including journalists, and even police personnel are being killed in Bihar," alleged state BJP president Samrat Choudhary.
"What has happened in Araria is, indeed, tragic. But such incidents have become the norm since the 'ghamandia' (arrogant) Mahagathbandhan led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad formed the government in the state," said the BJP leader, whose party shared power with Nitish Kumar's JD(U) in the state till a year ago.
Former Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan, who has realigned with the BJP-led NDA, said, "Nitish Kumar and his allies keep shouting that democracy is under attack in Bihar. But they are unable to protect the fourth estate." Referring to the killing of a police officer recently in Samastipur, Mr Paswan said, "The common Bihari gave up all hopes from Nitish Kumar long back. But his government cannot protect even the police and the press."
Student Dies After Being Thrashed By Classmates In Bihar School: Police Woman Kills Daughter, 3, To Move In With Lover, Got Idea From Crime Patrol Bihar Man Kills Wife, 4-Month Old Daughter, Then Attempts Suicide: Cops Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think Famous Iceland Geothermal Spa Covered In Lava Post Volcanic Eruption Netanyahu Says ICC Arrest Warrant Will Not Stop Israel Defending Itself "If CRPF Was Not Deployed...": Manipur Chief Minister On "Terror Attack" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.