'We can't call this jungle raj?' Tejashwi Yadav on spate of murders in Bihar

In view of the recent increase in criminal incidents in Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar's government may have recently overhauled the entire police force of state capital Patna, but nothing came of it. Within a few days of the new police chief taking charge, criminals carried out a shocking murder in Patna, that of noted industrialist Gopal Khemka, shot dead outside his residence on Friday, 4 July at around 11.00 pm.

The high-profile murder has let loose a fresh round of political allegations and counter-allegations regarding the recent increase in criminal activities in Bihar, with the opposition describing the state of affairs as the 'real jungle raj'.

Khemka lived on Exhibition Road near Gandhi Maidan in the heart of the city, and owned Magadh Hospital, Patna's largest. His son Gunjan Khemka was also shot dead in the Industrial police station area of ​​Hajipur (Vaishali) six years ago, which caused an uproar. Khemka senior, long associated with the BJP as an office-bearer, distanced himself from politics soon after the murder.

New phase of 'targeted attacks on businessmen'

This new, sensational killing has struck fear into Bihar's business community, which sees it as the beginning of a new phase of 'targeted attacks on businessmen'.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav has attacked the Nitish Kumar government, asking why this cannot be called jungle raj. Posting on social media, he pointed out that a noted businessman was shot dead in Patna, a few steps away from a police station.

"Every month, businessmen are being killed in Bihar, but we can't call it jungle raj?" he asked, adding tongue-in-cheek, "This is what the scriptures have called media management, perception management and image management". Citing several recent incidents, Tejashwi said law and order in the state has collapsed under the leadership of the "unconscious" chief minister.

Congress leader Premchand Mishra said, "There is gunda raj in Bihar. The criminal commits a crime and runs away. The police simply watches." Mishra also accused Nitish Kumar and the JD(U)-BJP government of failing to protect people.

RJD MP Manoj Jha also launched a fierce attack and said there was no such thing as a government left in Bihar.

Khemka owned several companies

Gopal Khemka was the owner of many businesses in the state, including those in the medical sector, education, and real estate. His son Gunjan was killed as he was leaving his factory, while Khemka was killed when he returned from Bankipur Club and had just got out of his car right in front of his apartment.

One thing common to both murders is that the killers were waiting for their targets. After Gunjan's murder, Khemka senior was given security in view of perceived threats to his life, but the security detail was later removed. Why, is not known. Mastu Singh, who was arrested in Gunjan's murder, was also killed after leaving prison, which mystery is yet to be solvd.

Allegations by Khemka family

The Khemka family alleges that despite being just 500 m and five minutes away, the police arrived after one-and-a-half hours. Not only the police station, but the SP's office and the DM's residence and office are all close to the Khemka's residence. Gunjan's brother Santosh Khemka says the way the police responded to the murder and reached the hospital at 1.30 am, raises suspicion. The family blames the Bihar government and says no one is safe under it, and criminals are so emboldened that they are breaking into homes and committing murders.

According to family sources, Khemka was a doctor who started his own healthcare business after his MBBS. He also owned a carton factory in Vaishali's Hajipur Industrial Area, managed by elder son Gunjan. According to Khemka's neighbours, a few months ago, his younger son was also shot at but narrowly escaped. Khemka also runs several petrol pumps.

Five people hacked with swords in Siwan

On Friday itself, a group of people descended upon Malmaliya Chowk under Bhagwanpur Haat police station in Siwan, brandishing swords in broad daylight, and hacked five people, three of them fatally. Two others are under treatment in critical condition. After the incident, residents in Siwan took to the streets in protest, setting vehicles on fire. The assailants allegedly fled the spot while shooting, and there has been no news of any arrest yet.

Murder of RJD leader in Buxar

On 26 May, RJD leader Arjun Yadav was shot dead in broad daylight by three motorbike-borne assailants in Buxar as he was travelling from his home to a power plant. Two days earlier, on 24 May, three people were murdered in Rajpur police station area of ​​Buxar district. Arrests are yet to be made in either case.

Hindustani Awam Morcha leader kidnapped, murdered in Begusarai

On 25 May, HAM block pramukh (chief) Rakesh Kumar alias Vikas was abducted at dusk in Sahebpur Kamal of Begusarai. His body was found four days later in Munger, and it was learned that Rakesh had been beaten to death and his body buried on the banks of the Ganga. According to eyewitnesses, the abductors fired 15-20 rounds in a filmi style before vanishing with Rakesh. A prime accused in the case, Gaurav Kumar, was arrested on 2 July.

Shots fired from SUV in front of ADG

On 24 May, passengers of a black SUV spread terror by openly firing eight rounds on Patna's Boring Canal Road, a crowded, upmarket part of ​​the city. Coincidentally, ADG (law & order) Pankaj Darad was passing by at the time, so he chased the vehicle and his bodyguard even fired at it, but the shooters escaped.