Protest Over STF Firing Leads to Road Blockade
The Ara-Buxar four-lane road remained blocked for nearly six hours on Thursday as villagers and family members protested the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari (30), who had sustained gunshot injuries to his legs during an alleged exchange of fire with the Special Task Force (STF) at Belauti village under Shahpur police station in Bhojpur district. Bharat died during treatment at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) on Wednesday.
The protesters placed his body on the road near Belauti village and demanded a high-level inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death, bringing traffic on the busy stretch to a standstill.
Tension escalated when some protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel of the quick response team (QRT), prompting a lathicharge. Police later dispersed the crowd and restored traffic movement. A large police force led by Ara sadar SDPO Raj Kumar Shah and traffic DSP Manoj Kumar Sudhanshu remained at the site from Thursday morning to pacify the protesters.
Police Version of Events
Police said Bharat had come on Facebook Live on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, during which he allegedly challenged the police and fired a few rounds.
Bharat's father, Kashinath Tiwari, a retired police havildar, said, “My son had not killed anyone. There was no criminal case against him. I myself had gone to the police station and said my son was a bit mentally unsound, so requested the police to somehow take him into their control. When there were so many police personnel, couldn't they take him into their control?”
Family members and protesters alleged Bharat had thrown away his pistol before police opened fire on him. Police, however, maintained that when STF personnel moved to detain him, he allegedly attempted to fire at them, forcing the team to open fire in self-defence and to protect bystanders.
Suspensions and Reactions
Meanwhile, Shahpur SHO Rajesh Kumar Malakar has been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. An assistant sub-inspector and a constable have also been suspended. Sources said the SHO was removed for allegedly failing to take Bharat into custody despite his public challenge to the police.
Bharat's mother, Asha Devi, described him as a social worker involved in issues affecting flood and erosion victims. “My son was fighting for the welfare of society, particularly the flood and erosion victims. But he was killed. Is this the reward he got for helping the people?” she said.
Asked about the source of the pistol, she said, “Some persons who had misled my son and instigated him, it must be those men who might have given him the firearms. However, my son was always engaged in social work.”
