Nalanda village panchayat head shot dead: NDA launches protest in Patna

Newly-elected village panchayat head of Harnaut village in Nalanda district was shot dead by unknown assailants. Reports suggested political vendetta could be the reason behind the attack.

Poonam Devi, the newly-elected panchayat head and a resident of Hasanpur, was on her way to the Harnaut market on a bike, when reportedly three unknown bike-borne men came and shot five rounds at her from close range, ANI reported. Devi was riding pillion on the bike.

Nalanda (Bihar): Newly elected 'mukhiya' Poonam Devi shot dead in Nalanda, locals block roads in protest last night pic.twitter.com/HZexIpEa99

— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2016

According to an Aaj Tak report, Poonam Devi died on spot, but the bike rider with her escaped unscathed. The assailants immediately fled from the spot. In the wake of the attack, local residents surrounded Poonam’s body and blocked roads protesting against the brutal attack against the local leader.

Following, Poonam Devi’s murder, the members of the Bihar’s NDA launched a protest in Patna against the worsening law and order situation in the state.

Patna: NDA leaders and workers protest against law and order situation in Bihar pic.twitter.com/wX3pokoMRo

Patna: NDA leaders and workers protest against law and order situation in Bihar pic.twitter.com/wX3pokoMRo

— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2016

Crime rates in Bihar have been on the high, often giving the Opposition parties the chance to brand Nitish government as the return of the ‘ Jungle Raj ’. Within two months of Nitish Kumar coming to power for the second term, over 570 cases of murders were reported, according to  a Zee News report.

Earlier in May, a senior journalist with the Hindi daily Hindustan, was shot dead in broad daylight in Siwan district, drawing much flak to the Bihar government. Lok Janshakti Party leader Sudesh Paswan was also murdered along with his cousin in the same month. Earlier in February, two other such political murders— of LJP leader Baijnath Singh and BJP leader Vishweshwar Ojha — raked up the Jungle Raj debate once again.