Two journalists were crushed to death by a speeding SUV in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Sunday, 25 March, Dainik Bhaskar reported. They were allegedly run over by the car of the village council head and his men in Bhojpur, around 80 km from Patna.
Naveen Nischal (35) working for Dainik Bhaskar was returning home after covering the Ram Navami procession with another journalist, Vijay Singh (25) on the evening of Sunday, 25 March. A speeding SUV rammed the motorcycle killing both of them on Nahasi bridge near the Garhani police station.
The two journalists were pronounced dead on arrival by the doctors at a local hospital. Witnesses at the spot told Dainik Bhaskar that former Garhani village headman Mohammed Harsu was in the car with his son. Locals outraged at the incident, set the car on fire, blocked Arrah-Sasaram state highway and vandalised local shops. The assailants managed to abscond from the spot.
The police resorted to lathi-charging the angry crowd. The investigation into the supposed ‘car-collision’ is underway.
Death Allegedly Linked to Spat Between Naveen and Harsu
According to the report, there was a public spat between Harsu and Naveen at Garhani bazaar, late on Sunday evening.
We have been told that there was an argument between the two parties post which this incident took place. Investigation will be conducted to bring out the truth.Sanjay Kumar, Sadar SDPO to ANI
Following which, the former village headman warned the journalist to be prepared to face the consequences. While locals alleged that the incident was not an accident but a murder, Nikhil, son of one of the deceased told ANI that the ‘conspiracy’ was hatched by the former village headman.
He had gone to have paan and got into an argument with someone. While returning, he was hit by a Scorpio being driven by Harsu (husband of former village head). There were 2 bikes behind it. He fled from the spot on one of the bikes. It’s a conspiracy.Nikhil, son of one of the deceased journalists to ANI
Superintendent of Police in Bhojpur Avkash Kumar told the daily that after the incident, police went to Harsu’s house but he had already absconded with his son. Reportedly, Harsu’s son, accused of inciting riots was released from jail recently.
(With inputs from Dainik Bhaskar, ANI)
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