Festive celebrations turned chaotic in Bihar's Samastipur district after an altercation at a Durga Puja fair escalated into gunfire. A young nursing student sustained serious bullet injuries to his stomach, triggering widespread panic and a stampede-like situation among visitors and local shopkeepers at the fairgrounds.
Altercation Leads to Open Firing in Samastipur
The violent incident took place in Panchrukhi, situated within the jurisdiction of the Karpurigram police station. A substantial crowd had assembled to take part in the Durga Puja festivities when a mutual dispute erupted among a group of individuals. The disagreement turned aggressive within moments, and an assailant pulled out a firearm and fired. The bullet struck the young man directly in his abdomen, causing visitors to flee in panic to escape the confrontation.
Injured Nursing Student Undergoing Treatment
The injured youth was identified as Vivek Kumar, also known as Rishabh, son of Sanjeet Rai and a resident of Ward Number 14. Vivek is currently a student pursuing a BSC in Nursing. Immediately following the gunfire, bystanders and locals mobilized to transport him to a private medical facility located in Samastipur city. He remains under close medical observation while receiving emergency treatment. Police teams reached the site promptly upon receiving reports of the violence and secured the perimeter. Investigators are actively questioning witnesses to establish the exact cause of the altercation and trace the individuals involved in the shooting.
Similar Violence Reported Outside Patna Puja Pandal
This incident follows closely behind another violent confrontation reported near a Durga Puja pandal in Patna, where a man named Vijay was shot and wounded. Vijay was engaged in distributing religious offerings (prasad) when Dharmendra Das, a resident of the same neighborhood, arrived at the venue accompanied by four to five associates. An argument ensued between the groups and quickly worsened into physical scuffles. According to Vijay's statement given to the police, one of the assailants produced a handgun and opened fire. Around four rounds were fired at the spot, with one bullet striking Vijay in the hand. The loud gunshots triggered immediate panic around the pandal before the Airport police intervened, transporting the injured youth to a medical facility where attending doctors noted his condition was stable.
Mob Violence and Arson in Muzaffarpur
Severe unrest was also recorded in Muzaffarpur district after a road incident. A motorcycle had collided with a child, which prompted an enraged group of roughly 15 people to allegedly beat a young man to death. The violence expanded beyond the fatal assault, as the aggressive crowd rampaged through a local settlement and set fire to nine houses.
