Police team attacked by angry villagers in Bihar’s Sitamarhi after husband of ward councillor shot dead by criminals

Angry villagers attacked a team of police personnel after a man was shot dead by unidentified criminals in Bihar’s Sitamarhi on Saturday (September 12, 2026).

The man, identified as Baidyanath Mahto, was the husband of ward councillor Khushdil Devi. The criminal opened fire at him from close range, causing several injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

The incident took place at Kaitharia village when the deceased went out for a morning walk at around 6.30 a.m. Upon receiving the information, the Sitamarhi Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Ranjan went to the scene to assess the situation.

The villagers were said to be agitated as Mahto on August 29 had lodged a case at Dumra Police Station (Case No. 432/26) against Tribhuvan Kumar, Mohammed Ejaz Ahmed, Mohammed Ehsan Ahmed, and other unidentified criminals, alleging that they had fired at him with the intent to kill. However, the police had allegedly not responded with promptness.

During the attack, the angry mob also pelted stones, which resulted in damage to the police vehicles, and two police officers suffered serious head injuries. A large number of villagers gathered at the spot following the firing incident and said that the criminals shot eight bullets at his body. Villagers also staged a protest by blocking the road and questioned the police’s inaction.

Villagers claimed that the liquor mafia was behind the shooting as Mahto used to raise his voice against the issue in the area. However, the SP office claimed that after the firing incident on August 29, one accused had surrendered before the Court, and proceedings were under way to obtain warrants against the other accused.

As per the SP office press statement, the body has been sent for a post-mortem, and an FSL team also inspected the crime scene to collect forensic evidence, and footage from nearby CCTV cameras is also being reviewed.

“Continuous raids are being conducted to identify and arrest the individuals involved in the incident. The concerned Station House Officer (SHO) and the Investigating Officer of the case have been suspended with immediate effect on charges of negligence in the discharge of their duties,” Mr. Ranjan said.

He added, “Adequate numbers of magistrates and police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, and senior police officials are continuously monitoring the situation. At present, the situation is completely peaceful and under control.”