A 65-year-old Muslim man was allegedly beaten to death with an iron rod in Jhagarua village under Jamalpur Police Station limits in Darbhanga district, Bihar, on Sunday, March 1, after he objected to communally charged abusive language being used during a neighbourhood dispute. The deceased has been identified as Abdul Salam, a resident of the same village. Three of the five accused have been arrested and a police camp has been set up in the village to prevent further tension.
How the Incident Unfolded
The violence began over an argument about the alleged theft of bricks belonging to local resident Manish Kumar Ram. During the dispute, Ram’s mother Vimla Devi allegedly began hurling abusive language laced with communal remarks. Abdul Salam, who happened to be passing by the scene at the time, objected to the offensive remarks.
His objection reportedly enraged the family. Manish Kumar Ram, his brother Roshan Kumar Ram and their mother Vimla Devi allegedly attacked Abdul Salam with an iron rod, striking him on the head and inflicting severe injuries. He collapsed on the spot immediately after the assault.
Villagers who witnessed the incident rushed Abdul Salam to the nearby Kiratpur Community Health Center for treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police arrived shortly after and took the body into custody, sending it to Darbhanga Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Senior Officials Rush to Village, Police Camp Set Up
Given the seriousness of the incident and the communal tension that followed, senior district administration and police officials quickly descended on Jhagarua village. Darbhanga District Magistrate Kaushal Kishore, Senior Superintendent of Police Jagunath Reddy, DIG Manoj Tiwari and Biraul SDPO Prabhakar Tiwari all visited the village, assessed the situation and met with the victim’s family to assure them of strict action against those responsible.
A police camp has been established in the village and a heavy police force deployed to maintain peace and prevent any escalation.
Three Arrested, Search Underway for Others
Biraul SDPO Prabhakar Tiwari confirmed that three people, including the main accused Manish Kumar Ram, have been arrested in connection with the killing. Police are conducting raids to trace and arrest the remaining two accused. The victim’s family has named five people in total in their murder complaint, including Manish Kumar Ram, his brother Roshan Kumar Ram, their mother Vimla Devi and two others.
DIG Manoj Tiwari appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumours and said the administration was closely monitoring those attempting to spread misinformation in the area. Authorities assured the victim’s family that no one involved in the killing would be spared.
