A 30-year-old man, Chandan Kumar, was killed and 11 others were critically injured when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire in Bihar's Begusarai district on Tuesday, 13 September.
The gunmen, who are yet to be identified, arrived at the Malhipur Chowk in Begusarai at around 5 pm and opened fire, targeting shops, in the crowded area, police said.
After people fled from there, the gunmen went to Barauni Thermal Chowk, Barauni, Teghra, Bachwara, and Rajendra Bridge, and continued firing indiscriminately at people, police said.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has since called the state's Director General of Police (DGP) to enquire about the firing.
"We have called a meeting and held a detailed discussion on this incident. A probe should be done from every angle into the incident," Kumar said.
On Wednesday, the Bihar Police suspended seven police officials, according to news agency ANI.
Additional Director General of Police (HQ) Jitendra Singh Gangawar said, "Prima facie our patrolling party was on the streets. Still, they either could not stop the criminals or could not do the checking. In this connection, seven police officials have been suspended with immediate effect."
Meanwhile, some of the injured were admitted to the government hospital in Begusarai, while some were sent to Patna for better treatment, Superintendent of Police Yogendra Kumar told reporters.
'5 Detained for Questioning, Efforts On To Nab Accused'
Kumar also said that five persons have been detained since Tuesday night for questioning and that four teams have been formed to track down the accused.
"Teams raiding neighbouring districts at all suspected spots. CCTVs have been checked from which we have ascertained important information," he said, as per ANI.
The SP added that all those who were recently released from prison are being identified to find common suspects among them.
"We can spot four youths on two bikes in CCTVs who did the crime," the police official added.
On the other hand, Union Minister Giriraj Singh slammed the ruling Janata Dal (United)-Rashtriya Janata Dal government, saying that the incident showcased the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
"Whenever a 'mahagathbandan' govt is made, law and order situation deteriorates... Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) has now termed 'Jungle raj' to 'Janta raj,'" Singh said.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)