Bihar labourer shot dead over wages; Tejashwi targets NDA on law and order
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A labourer named Chandeshwar Chaudhary was allegedly shot dead following a dispute over unpaid wages in Jogiya village under the Dinara police station area of Rohtas district, Bihar, triggering political outrage and communal unrest. His body was recovered from a canal nearly 36 hours after the incident, sparking fury among villagers and drawing sharp criticism from Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav against the state's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
What Happened in Jogiya Village
According to the deceased's family, Chandeshwar and his son Deepak Chaudhary had previously worked as herders for a man named Ajit Tiwari. A dispute arose over the payment of wages, with Deepak alleging that his father was owed between ₹50,000 and ₹60,000, though the other side reportedly disputed the outstanding amount.
The family alleges that Chandeshwar was summoned to Ajit Tiwari's residence on the night of the incident in connection with the wage dispute, where he was allegedly assaulted and shot. His son further alleged that the body was subsequently loaded into a vehicle and disposed of in a canal. These remain allegations at this stage; police are investigating from all angles and will determine responsibility based on evidence.
Body Recovery and Police Response
Acting on information allegedly provided by Ajit Tiwari, police searched a canal near Surtapur village approximately 36 hours after the murder. The water level was first reduced, after which local divers and a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team conducted an extensive search. Chandeshwar's body was eventually recovered at around 10 am on Thursday and sent for post-mortem examination.
Prime accused Ajit Tiwari and his son Chingari Tiwari were arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur within approximately four hours of the incident, according to Rohtas Superintendent of Police (SP) Roshan Kumar. They were subsequently brought to Dinara police station for questioning. Several other named accused are reportedly absconding, and police raids are ongoing at suspected locations.
Village Unrest and Security Deployment
The killing sparked widespread anger in Jogiya village. Enraged residents allegedly set fire to the accused's house and multiple vehicles, including a harvester, a tractor, and a car. SP Roshan Kumar reached the village with additional forces and brought the situation under control. Security has since been tightened across the area.
An FIR has been registered at Dinara police station against five named individuals and other accused persons, based on the statement of Deepak Chaudhary.
Tejashwi Yadav's Political Attack
Tejashwi Yadav alleged that a family belonging to a backward class was assaulted when its members sought their rightful wages, and that one of them was subsequently killed. He further alleged that attempts were being made to shield those responsible for the crime.
Tejashwi claimed that crime was rising in Bihar and that the state was gradually acquiring the image of a 'police state.' He said he had already raised the matter with Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar and announced that he would visit Rohtas on Saturday to meet the bereaved family. This comes amid a broader Opposition narrative questioning law-and-order governance under the NDA administration in the state.
Investigation Continues
Police are probing the alleged motive, the precise role of each accused, the circumstances surrounding the killing, and the subsequent disposal of the body in the canal. Further action will be taken on the basis of evidence gathered during the investigation. The case is being closely watched given its caste and labour-rights dimensions, which have amplified public and political attention.