In a shocking turn of events, a Bihar sub-inspector, Prabhat Ranjan (28), lost his life when he was mowed down by a tractor allegedly transporting illegally mined sand in Jamui district. The incident, highlighting a disturbing trend of attacks on law enforcement officials by the sand mafia, occurred during a routine check.
Ranjan, a 2018-batch sub-inspector, and a home guard jawan, Rajesh Kumar Sao, were on patrol after receiving a tip-off about illegal sand mining in Chandwara area, approximately 5 km from the Garhi police station where Ranjan served as the assistant SHO. The attempt to intercept the tractor, driven by Krishna Ravidas, turned tragic as the driver ran over both Ranjan and Sao, fleeing the scene immediately.
The Garhi SP, Shaurya Suman, reported that the police managed to seize the tractor and apprehend Mithilesh Thakur, a resident of the neighboring Nawada district, who was accompanying the driver. However, the main culprit, Krishna Ravidas, along with the tractor owner, remains at large. A special team has been formed to bring them to justice.
This unfortunate incident adds to a series of attacks by the sand mafia reported in Bihar over the past few months, particularly in Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Saran, and Vaishali districts. The gravity of the situation has sparked controversy and raised questions about the government’s effectiveness in dealing with this issue.
Political Fallout: Minister’s Controversial Remark Stirs Public Outcry
The tragic death of sub-inspector Prabhat Ranjan has not only prompted public outrage but has also led to a political storm, exacerbated by a controversial statement from Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar. The minister remarked, “Such incidents keep happening in other states, too,” during a visit to Sitamarhi, sparking a heated debate over the government’s commitment to addressing such crimes.
Opposition leaders, including LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan and BJP’s Shahnawaz Hussain, criticized the minister’s casual response. Chirag Paswan questioned if the sand mafia enjoyed protection from the government, raising concerns about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
The controversy deepens as questions arise about the effectiveness of the government’s actions against the sand mafia and its commitment to ensuring the safety of law enforcement officials. The incident and its aftermath cast a shadow over the state’s political landscape, demanding urgent attention and accountability.
