Friday night turned into a nightmare in Bihar’s Samastipur district as armed thugs on motorcycles fired indiscriminately near a busy bank, injuring two and triggering a deadly mob retaliation. The subdivisional hospital road, usually bustling with evening activity, descended into pandemonium when shots rang out, scattering shoppers and vendors alike.
Victim Pappu Paswan was parking his bike outside Indian Bank when three helmeted men accosted him over a trivial dispute. Tensions boiled over in seconds—one pulled a pistol and shot Pappu in the leg. The crack of gunfire drew a crowd, amplifying the terror as people screamed and sought cover.
Brave Rekha Devi, a local woman living nearby, stepped forward to mediate. Ignoring threats, she confronted the gunmen, only to take a bullet in her hand for her courage. Both injured parties were hurried to the hospital, where Rekha underwent surgery while Pappu received emergency care.
The mob’s response was swift and brutal. Spotting one assailant attempting to flee, residents pursued and apprehended Sunny Kumar. Overwhelmed by anger at the attack in their midst, the crowd thrashed him repeatedly until he succumbed to injuries. A chowkidar at Dalsinghsarai station identified Sunny as the shooter before police intervened.
Senior officers, including DSP Vivek Kumar Sharma, rushed to the site. Preliminary findings point to an old rivalry fueling the assault. Teams are combing CCTV videos and launching manhunts for the remaining fugitives. To prevent further unrest, police have stationed additional personnel across the area, conducting round-the-clock checks.
Local leaders and merchants have voiced outrage over the deteriorating security, urging the administration for immediate measures. Officials assure the public that the perpetrators will face the full force of the law, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of vigilante justice risks in under-policed regions.