Sheohar: The chief priest of a mutt (temple) was gunned down by unidentified persons in Purnahia in Sheohar district, around 100 km north of Patna, on Thursday.
The incident took place around 5:30 am when Brijnanandan Das (60), the priest, was meditating in a separate room on the temple premises. The criminals pumped three bullets into his body, causing grievous injuries to his head and chest.
Das was rushed to a nearby Sitamarhi government hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The assailants managed to escape unchallenged as they threatened the deceased’s disciples with dire consequences.
Das was also the state president of Bharat Sadhu Samaj that has a number of followers across the state. Sources said he was also close to former minister Raghunath Jha.
As the news spread, a large number of residents and followers of the chief priest gathered at Purnahia bazaar and disrupted traffic on the Sheohar-Sitamarhi road, The Telegraph reported.
A section of the protesters targeted private and public property at the bazaar, around 20km northwest of Sheohar district headquarters town. The police had a tough time dealing with the protesters who outnumbered them.
Sheohar superintendent of police Prakash Nath Mishra brought the situation under control after assuring the protesters of arresting the criminals at the earliest.
The SP said Das had earlier survived three murderous attacks. The security guard allotted to him was withdrawn recently. “It’s being ascertained under what circumstances the security of the priest was withdrawn,” the SP told The Telegraph.
Preliminary investigations suggested that land mafia was exerting pressure on the priest as the muth had several acres of agricultural land, which is managed by a committee headed by Das. “The land mafia’s role is also being ascertained,” the SP said.
The incident is also being seen as fallout of the ensuing panchayat election. The priest had apparently lent his support to a particular candidate, which antagonised the rival group. He had also disowned his niece recently and appointed someone else as his heir. “We are also investigating the role of the rival candidates and other possible angles,” an investigating officer said.
A source in the state police headquarters revealed that the murder would have far reaching ramifications. “We apprehend such incidents will go up in the days to come. Land mafias want to grab muth property,” the source added.