A schoolgirl was gunned down in broad daylight while heading to school in Bihar's Samastipur district, in an attack that has left her village in shock. She collapsed on the spot after being shot and died within minutes. The incident took place in Kaijia village, under the jurisdiction of Vaini police station in the Sadar sub-division of Samastipur. The victim has been identified as Sonam Kumari, daughter of Umesh Thakur, a resident of Ward No. 14 in Kaijia village. As soon as the shot rang out, panic spread through the area, and nearby residents rushed to the spot, but Sonam had already died by the time they reached her.
The killing is the latest in a string of violent incidents reported from across Bihar, once again raising questions over law and order in the state. The fact that a schoolgirl was targeted in broad daylight has left residents of the village and surrounding areas deeply unsettled.
Police, forensic team rush to the spot
As soon as word of the shooting spread, Vaini police station personnel reached the site and cordoned off the entire area. Given the seriousness of the case, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) was also called in to scientifically collect evidence from the crime scene. In the aftermath of the daylight killing, tension gripped Kaijia village, with thousands of villagers gathering at the spot. Visible anger among locals over the murder prompted police officers to repeatedly appeal for calm.
Investigation underway, motive still unclear
Police have sent Sonam Kumari's body for a post-mortem examination and are now probing the motive behind the killing. Preliminary investigation has so far failed to establish why the schoolgirl was targeted. Police are scanning footage from CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity and examining other evidence in an effort to trace those responsible. Officers are also questioning villagers and local residents to piece together any leads connected to the crime.
Grieving family demands justice
Sonam's family has been inconsolable, and anger continues to simmer across the village. Relatives said she had left home for school as usual that day, only for news to arrive a short while later that she had been shot dead. The family was left in shock upon hearing the news and is now demanding a fair investigation along with strict action against those responsible.
