CPI (ML)’s Ara bandh call against murder of jeweller evokes mixed response

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : Ara bandh called by the CPI (ML) and supported by the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) in protest against murder of a jeweller Ravi Gupta on July 24, 2018, and deteriorating law and order evoked mixed response here on July 26, 2018.

The bandh supporters took out procession from the eastern railway crossing in morning that passed through the main thoroughfares of Ara town and forced the traders and business establishments to down their shutters. They also disturbed plying of vehicles on road. Barring a few, almost all the schools, government offices, courts remained open.

The bandh supporters blocked the road at the Patel Bus Stand, Goplai Chowk, Sheesh Mahal Chowk, and Shahi Mosque Chowk by putting hurdles and burning tyres on road paralysing the movement of vehicles. They raised slogans against CM Nitish Kumar holding him responsible for deteriorating law and order in the state and also against the Bhojpur district administration.

They were demanding arrest of the killers of the jeweller, a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of his kin, treatment of injured Tribhuan Gupta at government cost, government job to one of the family members of the deceased and arms license to the family for security reason.

Some motorcycle borne armed miscreants had shot dead Ravi Gupta and injured his elder brother Tribhuan Gupta, sons of Hari Narayan Gupta of Kamta Bazaar locality under Baniyapur police station in Saran district, when they were returning to their residence on Godhna road under Nawada police station, Ara, on July 24 evening, after closing their jewellery shop at Bazaar Samiti.

Bhojpur SP Awakash Kumar has constituted an team led SDPO, Ara, Pankaj Kumar the murder of Rvai Gupta. Police have taken four persons under their custody so far though no FIR has so far been lodged with Nawada police station in this connection. SHO, Nawada police station, Subodh Kumar said that an FIR would be lodged after an application from the family members of the deceased is received.