Hindustan reporter shot dead

Armed criminals on Tuesday shot dead Hindustan correspondent Vikas Ranjan in Rosera block of Samastipur district.

Armed criminals on Tuesday shot dead Hindustan correspondent Vikas Ranjan in Rosera block of Samastipur district.

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He was out on the field and had just come out of the newspaper office when the three miscreants, who were waiting for him outside, opened indiscriminate fire.

The three men escaped after firing several shots in the air, leaving Ranjan in a pool of blood. Locals heard the gunshots and rushed Ranjan to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Ranjan, who wrote extensively on crime and corruption, had been receiving threats for some time. He had brought this to the notice of senior police officials.

As soon as news of Ranjan’s death spread, people in the hospital started shouting anti-police slogans. The Samastipur district magistrate said the anti-socials repsonsible for the act would be arrested. The Samastipur SP immediately rushed to the spot.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed the DGP to nab the culprits and initiate a speedy trial.

ADG (Law And Order) Anil Sinha said Darbhanga DIG Vinay Kumar has been asked to rush to the spot and monitor the police operation. “Four police teams have been formed under the supervision of the DIG to conduct raids on possible hideouts of the criminals involved,” he said. The DIG would supervise the case. Sinha said the government was taking the matter seriously and wouldn’t allow any attacks on the media.