Jethuli village, about 20km from Patna, remained tense for the second consecutive day on Monday following the violence after a family’s three members died and two sustained wounds when their neighbour opened firing after a parking dispute.
Agitating mob blocked vehicular movement on the NH-33 and burnt two trucks, four cars and motorcycles.
According to the police, violence erupted when Bittu Kumar parked his four-wheeler and his neighbour Umesh Rai opposed it. Heated arguments turned into fistfights and soon the family of Umesh Rai, a leading builder and political leader, shot 50 rounds. Five members of the Rai family sustained gunshot injuries.
Roshan Kumar and Gautam Kumar, both in 20s, died on the spot and Munarik Rai was declared dead at Patna Medical College Hospital. Nagendra Rai and Chanarik Rai are battling for their life.
Clashes erupt in Jethuli village
Patna city sub-divisional police officer Mukesh Ranjan said, “A large scale aron followed the firings. Family members of the deceased attacked the property of the accused. They set afire a marriage hall, a factory, a godown, five houses, burnt down their vehicles.”
Fearing the threat to their families, members of 10 families left the village, located between NH-33 and Gulzarbagh railway station. Policemen and fire tenders were chased away by the agitated mob.
Umesh Rai had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election as a Samajwadi Party candidate. His wife is the village head of Jethuli panchayat. Another family member is member of the district panchayat and SatendraYadav, brother of Umesh is the vice-president of a national party’s Bihar unit.
