The man had named a town square "Narendra Modi chowk" in Bihar's Darbhanga
Highlights
- Ramchandra Yadav named a town square "Narendra Modi chowk"
- He was allegedly attacked by about 50 men with hockey sticks and swords
- The attackers were supporters of RJD, his son claimed
A 70-year-old man has been beheaded in Bihar's Darbhanga district, allegedly after he named a town square "Narendra Modi chowk", his family claims.
Ramchandra Yadav, a BJP supporter, was attacked by about 40-50 men with hockey sticks and swords, who came on motorcycles, his son Tej Narayan said.
"As a senior citizen, my father went to them to explain the situation but he was beheaded with a sword. When my elder brother intervened, there was a murderous assault on him," Mr Tej Narayan told the media.
He claimed a history to the attack, alleging that one of his brothers was killed two years ago after they had put up a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the square.
"The attackers were supporters of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) who abused the Prime Minister," claimed Mr Tej Narayan.
Asked what the immediate trigger for the attack was, he said the assailants were upset that there was a "Modi square in a place that is an RJD stronghold".
The RJD's bypoll win on seats emboldened them, he alleged.
His brother Kamal Dev Yadav is being treated at the Darbhanga Medical College Hospital.
"Soon after the incident, the police reached the spot, recorded statements of some witnesses. Police have arrested all the people who were named, said police officer Dilnawaz Ahmed.
Asked if the incident was linked to the "Modi square", Mr Ahmed said the police will probe all angles.
"There is an earlier land dispute. A lot of factors are there," said Mr Ahmed, adding that "investigations so far has not found any link with the recent bypoll results".
Earlier in the day, angry BJP supporters who had blocked the main road in Darbhanga relented only after the police pacified them and assured a thorough probe.