Agency(Gopalganj):
Tension has risen in Bihar’s Gopalganj district following the discovery of a local temple staff member’s mutilated body. Manoj Kumar Sah, the deceased, had been missing for a week and was last seen leaving the temple in Manjha village, Danapur area. His body was found on the outskirts of a village on Saturday.
Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat clarified that Sah was a caretaker, not the priest, and was seen locking the temple’s gate on Monday night. Prabhat mentioned that the temple had been involved in a land dispute, and the case is being investigated from all angles.
There are reports of bullet injuries, missing eyes, and cuts on the body’s private parts, but the police are awaiting the post-mortem report for confirmation. Following the incident, villagers staged a protest on a highway, leading to an attack on a police party and vandalism of their vehicle. An FIR is being lodged in connection with the incident, and those involved in the attack will be identified and apprehended.
The incident has drawn political reactions, with the opposition BJP condemning the Nitish Kumar-led state government. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, a former Bihar BJP president, accused the government of enabling criminals and pledged the BJP’s support for the bereaved family. Rai asserted that the people of Bihar would hold the government accountable in the next elections.