RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, July 26: Poor law and order got exposed in the Jharkhand capital as assailants shot dead CPM leader Subhash Munda at his office at Daladili under Nagdi police station on Wednesday provoking his supporters to go on rampage damaging shops and police vehicles to express their frustration over the incident.
The entire area around Daladili witnessed unrest from 8pm yesterday to 3am today when Munda supporters getting information about the murder reached to the spot and started showing their frustration. They did not spare even S.P (city) Subhranshu Jain when they became violent. They burnt liquor shops and damaged several hand push carts of the locality. They also damaged Jain’s vehicle and compelled him to retreat.
In the morning again, they blocked NH-75 and Ring Road at several places, including Naro Bazar Tand, Kanke Chowk and Ratu Chowk disrupting the vehicular movement. They demanded the arrest of assailants.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kishore Kaushal suspended Nagri police station officer-in-charge Omprakash Toppo after the incident to quell the protesting supporters but it did not yield proper result and the protest continued.
Munda supporters announced Ranchi bandh to express their anguish against the deteriorating law and order. Sensing the gravity of the situation, SSP Kaushal deployed police at strategic locations to ensure maintenance of law and order and handle the trouble makers tactfully in case of requirement.
Three assailants committed the murder last night. According to a local resident, three had come on a motorbike. “While two walked to the office of Munda while one waited outside keeping the ignition of the motorbike on. Two assailants committing the murder, returned to their bikes and then all the three zip zap zoomed,” the resident said.
“Munda was rushed to the local Rinchi Trust Hospital but doctors declared him dead. Munda had taken eight bullets,” the resident added.
Contacted Kaushal for his comment, he said: “Assailants have not been identified so far.” Asked about the current situation, he said it is ‘under control’ without talking much in that regard.
Co-incidentally the incident took place on the same day when the home department transferred as many as seven IPS officers from their existing position and the list included Ranchi S.P.(rural) Naushad Alam, who was posted as Sahibganj SP.
Munda had contested the assembly elections as CPM candidate twice from Hatia constituency and was also a land dealer. It is being suspected the murder was caused by some land dealing. However, the city police have not come out with any conclusive statement on the matter.
