The high-stakes political battleground of Mokama in Bihar remains on edge, a day after the brutal murder of a local figure, Dularchand Yadav. The region witnessed a fresh wave of violence and chaos on Friday, further escalating tensions just ahead of the crucial Assembly elections.
The epicenter of the latest turmoil was Pandarak, where the convoy of Veena Devi, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate from Mokama and wife of strongman-turned-politician Surajbhan Singh, came under attack. According to reports, stones were pelted at her car, causing significant damage. The attack occurred while Veena Devi was returning from a hospital where Dularchand Yadav's post-mortem was conducted under tight security.
Visuals emerging from Mokama depicted a scene of lawlessness, with reports of fresh violence and even firing. In one video, a person could be heard shouting, "Anant Singh's men are firing..." pointing fingers directly at the rival Janata Dal (United) candidate and fellow strongman, Anant Singh.
Supporters of the RJD and Surajbhan Singh claimed the attack was unprovoked. They insisted their convoy was travelling peacefully and was unarmed, yet was deliberately targeted. The incident immediately heightened anxieties in the area, prompting district authorities to deploy heavy police forces to prevent a further escalation into full-blown communal or caste violence.
A Murky Political Murder
The current crisis stems from the murder of Dularchand Yadav on Thursday. Yadav was reportedly campaigning for Piyush Priyadarshi, the candidate of the Jan Suraj Party, when he was killed. The incident has triggered a bitter blame game between the two dominant political forces in the region.
An FIR has now been registered against JD(U) candidate Anant Singh and five others in connection with Yadav's murder. This development comes after Anant Singh himself had publicly pointed the finger at Surajbhan Singh, alleging his involvement in the killing.
Calls for a Fair Probe
Amid the accusations and counter-accusations, Veena Devi and her family have called for a transparent investigation. Demonstrating the complex personal and political ties that define the region, members of Veena Devi's family attended Dularchand Yadav's funeral.
Speaking to the media, Veena Devi sought to separate personal bonds from political rivalry. "The election is one thing, but our families share personal ties. As soon as we heard about the incident, we cancelled our campaign schedule," she stated.
Emphasizing the need for a fair probe, she added, "We demand a magistrate-level inquiry on camera to ensure fairness."
With the political atmosphere charged and trust between the rival camps at an all-time low, Mokama presents a microcosm of Bihar's often volatile and personality-driven politics. As the election date draws nearer, the state administration faces a formidable challenge in ensuring that the campaign, already marred by violence, does not descend further into chaos.
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