In Bihar's Gopalganj district, a disturbing incident unfolded as clashes erupted in a village following the discovery of the body of a missing priest, Manoj Kumar, who had been absent for the past six days. On Saturday, the police revealed that the priest had been shot dead, with his eyes gouged out and genitals mutilated. The discovery of the gruesome crime triggered confrontations between locals and the police, resulting in minor injuries to two police officials.
Manoj Kumar, a priest at a Shiva temple in Danapur village, was reported missing six days ago. His brother, Ashok Kumar Shah, is a former divisional president of the BJP. Despite the police's efforts to locate the missing priest, he remained untraceable. On Saturday, the police located Manoj Kumar's lifeless body in the village bushes, prompting accusations of negligence from the local community.
In response to the news, clashes ensued, with locals expressing their discontent by pelting stones at the police and setting a police vehicle ablaze on a highway. The police, in turn, resorted to firing in the air to control the situation. Gopalganj Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pranjal intervened later, managing to pacify the agitated locals.
Suresh Shah, another brother of the deceased priest, disclosed that the family had initially assumed Manoj Kumar had gone out and would return soon. Expressing frustration over the delay in the investigation, he revealed that district administration representatives had assured them of a swift inquiry, but the discovery of Manoj Kumar's body after six days left the family perplexed about the circumstances of the murder.
SDPO Pranjal assured that the situation in the village was now under control, with an adequate police force deployed. He mentioned that an FIR would be registered in connection with the case, and further actions would be taken. The incident has not only left the local community in shock but has also raised questions about the efficacy of the initial police investigation and the need for a thorough inquiry into the priest's tragic death.
