Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, March 30
Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jagdishpur, the sleepy town that was centre of 1857 rebellion is in flame as largescale arson and violence erupted following alleged custodial death of 30-year-old son of a local BJP leader.
The victim, Babloo alias Rohit Singh is the old great grandson of Babu Kunwar Singh, one of the rulers of eponymous Jagdishpur estate and the major figure of 1857 rebellion. Shah is scheduled to visit Jagdishpur fort, about 75 km west of Patna in Bhojpur district, on April 23 on the occasion of birth anniversary of Babu Kunwar Singh.
Rohit Singh was son of Pushpa Singh, the local leader of the BJP that is partner of alliance government in Bihar. According to senior BJP leader and former MP R K Sinha, Babloo was picked by the police on Monday night from Jagdishpur fort and taken to the police station. He was tortured as he had been exposing the policemen involved in illicit liquor trade.
Sinha, also a villager from Bhojpur, demanded immediate arrest of the policemen involved in killing the great grandson of Kunwar Singh who fought against the Britishers at the age of 80. Sushil Kumar Singh, BJP MP from neighbouring Aurangabad demanded institution of murder charges against the policemen who beat Babloo to death.
Opposition members raised the issue of alleged custodial killing of Babloo in the Bihar legislative assembly and asked the government to conduct speedy trial of the police men.
Vinay Tiwari, Bhojpur District Superintendent of Police said an FIR had been registered on the complaint of family members who have alleged police had beaten the young man.
Kunwar Ajay Pratap Singh, elder brother of Babloo alleged jawans engaged on security duty at Jagdishpur fort had brutally assaulted him and when he died at Ara Sadar hospital, his body was left abandoned.
Mrs Pushpa Singh, mother of the deceased, told media persons Babloo was picked up from the Fort and brutally assaulted.
Residents of Jagdishpur blocked the vehicular movement on NH 30, Ara-Mohaniya road and damaged a road diversion at Nayaka Tola Mor before resorting to arson in the local market.
