A shocking crime has surfaced from the Sivaipatti police station area of Muzaffarpur district in Bihar, where unidentified motorcycle-borne criminals shot dead a stationery shopkeeper who also worked as a property dealer, right in the middle of the busy Dera Chowk market. The attack took place while the businessman, Shyam Sunder Prasad, was on his way to a temple for his daily prayers, triggering panic across the entire area.
Gunned down on the way to the temple
According to police, Shyam Sunder Prasad was heading to the temple that morning just as he did every day. Attackers who had allegedly been lying in wait blocked his path and opened fire on him in quick succession. The sudden burst of gunfire sent shopkeepers and passersby in the market running for cover, and a crowd of local residents gathered at the spot within minutes. After carrying out the attack, the assailants fled the scene on their motorcycle. Prasad, who was critically injured, was rushed to SKMCH hospital, where doctors examined him and declared him dead.
Police reached the spot as soon as they were informed and launched an investigation. The team recovered three empty cartridge shells from the site and is scanning CCTV footage from nearby cameras to identify the attackers. The body was taken into custody and sent for a postmortem examination.
What the SP said
Rural Superintendent of Police Rajesh Singh Prabhakar arrived at the scene himself once he was informed and looked into the case. He said the stationery shopkeeper and property dealer, Shyam Sunder Kushwaha, was on his way to offer prayers at the temple when three motorcycle-borne miscreants opened indiscriminate fire on him. He was rushed to hospital immediately afterwards, where doctors declared him dead. The rural SP said statements from the deceased's family members are currently being recorded, while a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory is working to gather evidence. A cartridge shell has been recovered from the spot. Police have also learnt that the deceased had a prior dispute with certain individuals, and some names have come up in connection with the case. Raids are being conducted at various locations to make arrests, and whoever is found guilty will be arrested.
Angry locals block the road
News of the killing sparked strong anger among local villagers and traders. Protesting residents raised questions over the law and order situation in the area and blocked the road for some time in protest. Traders present in the market said an attack of this kind in broad daylight raises serious concerns about their own safety.
