Niraj Singh, a former deputy mayor of Dhanbad, whose uncle inspired a key character in Anurag Kashyap’s film Gangs of Wasseypur, was shot dead on March 21.
The incident happened when Singh was returning to his home. He was reportedly accompanied by his personal assistant Ashok Yadav and a bodyguard, when unidentified gunmen fired 27 rounds from an AK-47 at the car. All three and the driver died on spot, suggest reports.
According to reports, Singh was killed due to the ongoing feud in the extended family of late Surya Deo Singh (Ramadhir Singh’s character was based on him). Family members and supporters of Singh, who was a Congress leader and unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly elections from Jharia seat in Dhanbad district, blamed the police and administration for lapses.
Notably, Singh had contested the elections on a Congress ticket but lost to his cousin Sanjeev Singh of the BJP.
The shooting comes after a similar attack on Ranjay Singh, a close aide of Sanjeev, on January 29. Ranjay was on a scooter with his friend Raja Yadav when they were fired upon. Raja, who survived the attack, had then alleged that he had noticed two persons standing at the gate of Niraj’s house before they were shot at.
Following the gruesome murder, situation remains tense in Dhanbad. The administration has rushed in additional police force to avoid things going out of control.
The police have launched a massive manhunt in Dhanbad and nearby areas to nab the assailants at the earliest. The assailants are believed to be outsiders. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed, which will further investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has directed the DGP to maintain law and order in Dhanbad following the incident and asked him to nab the attackers as soon as possible.
