Itahara residents facing economic blockade after twin murder on Mar 25

B N Singh Pappan

Saharsa : Saharsa district administration’s effort to bring Itahara and ajoining areas under Gamharia panchayat back to normal after the twin murder at Itahara on March 25, 2017, nowithstanding, some miscreants continue to terrorise the villagers.

The residents of Itahara, a minority dominated village comprising around one hundred families, are facing economic blockade enforced by some anti-social elements and women and unemployed youth are not being allowed to sale vegetables and seasonal fruits at Baijnathpur Chowk by miscreants after the twin murder though police force is camping at the village. The miscreants are allegedly demanding `Rangdari’ (extortion amount) from the villagers. Majority of adult males  of Itahara work in Punjab or Delhi leaving their families at the village.

 Itahara resident Mohd Halim, 80, on March 28 said that the miscreants had unleashed a reign of terror at the village. Bhulkhoon Khatoon of Itahara said they were never stopped from selling their products in the markets in the  past. Halima Khatoon and Sabana Khatoon said that on March 27, 2017, night miscreants pelted houses with stones when power went off at the village creating panic among the villagers. Apart from policemen already deployed there, Saharsa DM and SP immediately reached the village to take stock of the situation. All the named accused in Vikas Yadav murder case have left Itahara. Meanwhile, market at Baijnathpur and other places have opened.

Mohd Kari, a labourer of village Itahara, was shot dead allegedly by one Vikas when he was engaged in brick soling work on March 25 morning and in retaliation Vikas too was lynched to death by the labourers and others. Police have served notice to 41 persons for disturbing peace in the area. SDPO Subodh Kumar Biswas said that situation was fast returning to normal at Itahara and adjoining villages.