Kumar Rajiv Nayan
Ara : The Ara bandh called by Shahabad Khatriya Vichar Manch on August 5, 2017, to press its demand for CBI inquiry into the murder of businessman Krishna Kumar Singh alias Kumar Ji, action against land mafias and immediate arrest of five named accused in the murder case evoked mixed response. Almost all the business establishments, schools and petrol pumps remained closed.
The bandh supporters took out a procession from Padav Chowk that passed through the main thoroughfares of the town forcing the businessmen to down their shutters. They also burnt tyres and blocked the road near Sheesh Mahal roundabout and in Padav locality near Model Institute under Town police paralysing the movement of vehicles since morning on August 5.
The bandh supporters alleged that former Bhojpur DM Birendra Prasad Yadav and SP Kshatranil Singh were soft on land mafias.They also said that police failed to arrest even a single named accused in the case after a month. Five out of 10 named accused had surrendered either in before the court or police.
Krishana Kumar Singh alias Kumar Ji, son of a businessman late Ram Khelawan Singh, was shot dead on July 2, 2017, in Padav locality near Model Institute under Town police station when he was on way to his house. A named FIR was lodged with the police under Town police station against 10 persons including Indrabhan Sinngh, former Bhojpur district president, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Munnu Singh, son of the Deputy Mayor, Ara Municipal Corporation (AMC), Malti Devi, a notorious criminal Chand Mian and his brother Nayeem Mian, Danish Rizwan, HAM(S) leader, and his brothers: Asraf Zamal and Md Shaheed.
Chand Mian, Danish Riwan and Indrabhan Singh surrendered before the court while Asaraf Zamal and Md Shaheed surrendered before police and all of themwere sent to jail. Police had, however, arrested seven unnamed accused including Gudia Khatoon, sister of Chand Mian and Nayeem Mian.