Anant Singh Shooting Incident: Chaos in Mokama, Bihar as Police Pursue Sonu-Monu Gang
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Synopsis
Tension in Mokama, Bihar escalates after the shooting of former MLA Anant Singh. Police are on the hunt for the Sonu-Monu gang, the prime suspects, following a violent incident that raises questions about local power struggles and criminal affiliations.
Key Takeaways
- Incident of gunfire in Mokama targeting Anant Singh.
- Police searching for the Sonu-Monu gang.
- Increased police presence in the area.
- Conflict linked to local power dynamics.
- Sonu and Monu's criminal activities span over a decade.
Patna, Jan 23 (NationPress) Tension has gripped the town of Mokama in Bihar following a shocking incident of gunfire directed at former MLA Anant Singh. Authorities are actively searching for the Sonu-Monu gang, identified as the main suspects in this alarming case, officials reported on Thursday.
The shooting took place on Wednesday in the village of Nauranga Jalalpur.
The district police have significantly increased their presence in the area, with the Barh DSP stationed in the village. The village has effectively transformed into a police fortress as security measures have been escalated.
Following the incident, all members of the Sonu-Monu gang vanished from the scene, prompting inquiries into the identities of Sonu and Monu and their operations in the Mokama area.
Sonu Singh and Monu Singh are siblings from Jalalpur village and have long been adversaries of former MLA Anant Singh. Their animosity stems from Sonu and Monu's affiliation with a faction opposing Anant Singh. Nevertheless, after Anant Singh's release from incarceration, the previously strained relationship had reportedly improved. However, tensions escalated again on Wednesday with the shooting incident.
This recent conflict is considered to be linked to struggles over local dominance. Sonu and Monu, who reside in Jalalpur village under the Panchmahala OP (Marachi police station), entered the criminal world around 15 years ago, beginning with train robberies. Over time, they gained notoriety in the region, closely associated with the powerful figure Mukhtar Ansari from Uttar Pradesh. Both siblings have sought to build their criminal organization, similar to the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Previously, Sonu and Monu were integral members of Mukhtar Ansari's network. In 2017, Monu Singh was allegedly contracted for Rs 50 lakh to eliminate former MLA Anant Singh.
To strengthen their influence, the brothers organized “darbars” (informal courts) in their village. These gatherings attracted individuals whose issues were unresolved by local authorities, thus enhancing their reputation as problem solvers. By establishing connections with influential individuals, Sonu and Monu widened their sphere of influence. Their reach became so extensive that local officials and employees in the Mokama block and zonal offices reportedly complied with their demands without delay.
While they presented themselves as community leaders, their actual motives were nefarious. Behind the scenes, they were heavily involved in criminal activities, including robbery, murder, and theft, effectively making illegal operations their second profession.
Over time, they cultivated a “heroic” image among locals, but their expanding criminal empire remained largely hidden. Aware of the importance of political power, Sonu and Monu ventured into local politics, successfully getting their sister elected as the Mukhiya of Nauranga Jalalpur Panchayat. However, her term was cut short as she was disqualified due to a complaint about discrepancies in her affidavit.
When a local leader, Guddu Singh, aimed to nominate a family member for the Mukhiya (village head) by-election, the Sonu-Monu gang plotted to eliminate him. They enlisted the notorious Manoj Singh from Naubatpur to execute the plan during Guddu Singh’s court appearance from Barh jail. Guddu Singh was serving a sentence for a criminal case when he was ambushed by the Sonu-Monu gang during his court appearance. Following this incident, Sonu, Monu, their father, and their sister were implicated in the murder case.
Numerous cases have been filed against the brothers in the Mokama GRP, all pertaining to train robberies. Monu has spent several months in Beur jail in connection with an arms recovery case in the Agamkuan police station area of Patna. Both brothers are linked to over a dozen serious cases spanning multiple police jurisdictions from Jharkhand to Lakhisarai.
Their criminal enterprises are so intricately organized that law enforcement agencies frequently struggle to gather evidence or track their activities. Sonu and Monu’s notoriety has rendered them figures of fear and influence in the Mokama region. However, their criminal operations are now under scrutiny following the recent incident involving former MLA Anant Singh. The brothers remain at large as police ramp up their efforts to capture them.
