BJP asks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to take cognizance of the Nalanda incident

On 20 May, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take immediate action against the perpetrators of the Nalanda incident where a journalist alleged that supporters of JDU MLC Heera Prasad Bind had threatened him of dire consequences over an article titled 'Voters ko dhamkane wala giraftar' (Man held for threatening voters). The incident occurred on 19 May.

BJP spokesperson Shahanawaaz Hussain hinted at a political nexus behind the murder of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan last week in Siwan district.

"Bihar is not afraid of criminals but the fact is that most people involved in criminal activities in the state are politicians. Recently, a journalist in Siwan was killed. When will these people be controlled? These people (those in power) should not believe that they cannot be removed," Hussain told ANI.

"Democracy stands on law and order. It is not right that journalists, who are the fourth pillar of democracy, are being attacked. The Chief Minister should take cognizance of the Nalanda incident," he added.

Six days after Ranjan's murder, four supporters of the JD (U) MLC yesterday allegedly threatened to kill Rajesh Singh, a journalist with a vernacular daily.

Singh, who has lodged an FIR with the Laheri Police Station, said he would identify them if they were produced before him.

In his complaint, he said four supporters of the JD (U) MLC entered his office at Biharsharif and threatened to kill him if he did not apologise to the lawmaker and contradict the report published about him.

Ranjan, 42, was allegedly shot dead by criminals near the Siwan Railway Station earlier last Friday.

Two bullets were fired at the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan that hit his head and neck. He was shifted to a hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

--ANI