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Sheikhpura fish trader shot at over 'extortion' demand

PATNA: A fish trader , Kundan Kumar (45), was shot at and critically injured by motorcycle-borne assailants in Sheikhpura district on Thursday after he failed to pay Rs 5 lakh as extortion to a criminal gang.

The injured, stated to be a resident of Belchhi village under Ariari police station area of the district, was rushed to the primary health centre at Ariari from where he was referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in serious condition.



The incident took place around 10am when the victim was on way to Sheikhpura from his native village on his motorbike. Three assailants riding a motorbike intercepted Kundan and fired at him from close range, causing bullet injuries to him. The assailants thereafter escaped towards an unknown destination.

Agitated over the broad daylight incident, locals blocked the Sheikhpura-Mahuli road and paralysed traffic for two hours. The road blockade was removed after the intervention of sub-divisional police officer S K Singh, who assured to bring the culprits to the book at the earliest.

Sheikhpura SP Dayashankar said an FIR was lodged against Mohammad Inayat and his two associates, who were absconding after the incident. “A used cartridge was seized from the spot. A special investigation team has been set up to nab the culprits at the earliest,” he added.

The SP, however, denied that any complaint related to extortion demanded from the trader was lodged earlier. “He had not informed the police about any such demand. We are probing the case from all angles,” he said, adding the culprits would be arrested soon.

The accused, according to the victim, had visited his native village and demanded Rs 5 lakh as extortion. The station house officer of Ariari police station, Pramod Kumar, said Kundan received bullet injuries in his waist and thigh.

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