MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, Jan 9: Ashok Pandey was shot dead by armed criminals near Bhagat Singh Chowk in Patratu last night. The shooting of Ashok Pandey, a resident of Jayanagar in Patratu block, has created a terror in the area.
After this incident, the politics of gang war has started again in Patratu. Dozens of people have already been killed in the gang war in the Patratu industrial area. The gang war is going on in the area for the supremacy between Bhola Pandey and Sushil Shrivastav gang.
Ashok Pandey has been attacked in the past as well. However, Ashok Pandey narrowly escaped in it. According to sources, about 14 years ago, at a liquor shop near Patratu railway gate, Ashok Pandey was shot several times. The criminals fled after shooting. Ashok Pandey was seriously injured in this incident and was treated in Ranchi for several months.
It was told that Ashok Pandey was associated with the Pandey gang operating in the coalfield. After the murder of Bhola Pandey and Kishore Pandey of the gang, Ashok Pandey’s activity in the gang had reduced. At present, the business of Ashok Pandey used to run in Ranchi apart from Patratu.
After the shooting of Ashok Pandey, the police have started raids to nab the criminals. In the preliminary investigation, the police suspect that Riyaz Ansari, the shooter of the Srivastava faction, may be behind the murder of Ashok Pandey. Shooter Riyaz Ansari has been accused of many murders and extortion cases in the past. At present, he is residing in Patratu area after being released on bail. He was attacked only a month ago. After this the villagers laid siege to his house at Rochap. A few days ago, Riyaz Ansari’s vehicle was also attacked by firing. Since then he had fled from the Patratu area. Police are already looking for Riyaz Ansari.
