Hindu youth killed during Muharram procession in Champaran (Bihar)

Allegations that Panchayat election dispute was the reason for murder

Champaran (Bihar) – Ajay Kumar Rai (age 35) was hacked to death by Muslims with a sword during a Muharram procession at Kanakatti Bazaar within the limits of Mehsi Police station in East Champaran District on July 6th. Ajay’s real brother Dhananjay Kumar and cousin Naval Kishore were injured in the attack. Reportedly the murder was due to an old dispute.

According to the family, the murder was committed over a dispute over the Panchayat elections. Ajay’s brother Rajesh Rai was contesting the elections and since then he had been in a dispute with a person named Nizamuddin from the village. On the day of Muharram, when Ajay had gone to watch the procession, a Muslim youth carrying a sword suddenly attacked him. When Ajay’s brother tried to save him, he was also attacked. All three injured were taken to the hospital, where the doctors declared Ajay dead, while the two brothers were sent to a hospital in Muzaffarpur for further treatment. Heavy Police security has been deployed at the spot after the incident. Local MLA Shyambabu Prasad Yadav met the victim’s family.

The Police have arrested two suspects in this case and their investigation is underway. The Superintendent of Police said that there was an argument between the two groups 15 days ago and a case was also registered then.