Neighbour shoots six members of family in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, two dead

Six members of a family in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district were shot by their neighbor on Monday morning, allegedly because the family had rejected his marriage proposal. The incident resulted in two deaths, while three others are in serious condition.

According to the Lakhisarai superintendent of police, Pankaj Kumar, a special task force has been set up to track down the prime suspect, 25-year-old Ashish Choudhary, who is currently on the run. Choudhary opened fire on the victims near their home in Lakhisarai town’s Punjabi Mohalla as they were returning from a river ghat after paying obeisance to the rising sun, which is the concluding ritual of the Chhath festival.

Kumar stated that Ashish had been in love with his neighbor and had wanted to marry her two years ago. However, the girl’s family was against the union, leading to a fight between the two families ten days ago.

Police confirmed that two brothers, Chandan Kumar Jha and Raj Nandan Kumar, lost their lives in the shooting. The injured individuals have been identified as Preeti Devi, Loveli Devi, Durga Jha, and her father Shashi Bhushan Jha. Three of the injured are in critical condition and have been rushed to the Patna Medical College and Hospital, which is approximately 120km away.

Chandan Kumar Jha’s mother revealed that she survived the attack because she had stayed back to perform prayers at a nearby Durga temple. She further stated, “The shooter wanted to marry my daughter, but our family members refused. Some days ago, Ashish threatened to hurt us and abduct my daughter.”

Police have seized a pistol believed to be the weapon used by Ashish Choudhary at the crime scene. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

This tragic incident highlights the importance of addressing disputes and conflicts in a peaceful manner. It also raises concerns about the security and safety of individuals within their own communities. Authorities must prioritize the apprehension of the suspect and ensure justice for the victims and their families.