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Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Business community raises alarm over recent high-profile killings across state
Patna: A recent surge in criminal incidents across Bihar, particularly the brutal murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, has triggered widespread concern. Alarming statistics and a string of high-profile killings have shaken the police. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Khemka, a well-known businessman and owner of Magadh Hospital, was shot dead around 11.45pm on July 4 at the main gate of his apartment in the Gandhi Maidan police station area of Patna. The murder has not only exposed glaring security lapses in the capital but also drawn attention to a disturbing and escalating pattern of violence targeting businesspersons across the state. In just the first half of 2025, at least eight prominent members of Bihar's business community have fallen victim to fatal attacks. These include real estate developer Anjani Singh, who was gunned down near the Kandap PACS warehouse in Patna; land dealer Razi Ahmad, killed in Nalanda; and Bhagalpur-based grocery merchant Vinay Gupta, who was shot by masked men. Other victims include real estate businessman Ramesh Chandra in Muzaffarpur, jeweller Sanjay Agarwal in Gaya, hospital owner Surbhi in Patna, and cloth merchant Vinod Mehta in Bhagalpur. The statistics are chilling. From Jan to May 2025 alone, Patna recorded 116 murders, averaging one killing every 25 hours. The capital also saw 48 robberies, 36 rapes, 10 incidents of dacoity, 33 cases of chain snatching and 13 instances of extortion. The alarming rise in violent crime prompted a major reshuffle in June with the transfer of the central range inspector general (IG), Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) and three city superintendents of police (city SPs). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among the most shocking cases was that of Anjani Singh, a land dealer who was shot dead on the night of June 22 near the Kandap PACS warehouse on the Sohgi-Kandap road in Punpun, Patna. Singh was attacked by bike-borne assailants who shot him at close range below the neck. On June 19, land dealer Razi Ahmad was murdered in Panhesa village of Nalanda district. Police arrested five suspects in connection with the case and recovered the weapon used in the killing. Earlier on May 4, Vinay Gupta, a grocery store owner, was shot dead by masked criminals in the Naugachia Market area of Bhagalpur's Hadia Patti. While an investigation is underway, no arrests have been made so far. In another high-profile case, Ramesh Chandra, a real estate businessman, was shot outside his office in Muzaffarpur in March. Police managed to arrest two suspects, though the key conspirator remains at large. On March 22, Surbhi, the director of a private hospital in Patna, was shot dead inside her office chamber. Her husband and several others have been arrested in connection with her murder. April saw the killing of Gaya-based jeweller Sanjay Agarwal, who was murdered during a robbery at his shop. The incident is believed to be linked to extortion threats he had received. In Jan, Bhagalpur cloth merchant Vinod Mehta was stabbed to death near his residence. Investigators suspect motives of extortion or personal enmity. The killings have sent shockwaves through the state's business community. President of the Bihar Industries Association, K P S Keshari, expressed serious concern over the spate of attacks. "We demand police patrolling to be increased in commercial and sensitive areas. A secure and favourable environment for industries in the state. The intelligence network should be strengthened. Intensive police checks should be arranged at the entry and exit points of the city," he said.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: A last bastion for endangered dolphins in Bihar
Patna: In the ancient heartland of Bihar, where the Ganga meanders past whispering sandbars and age-old settlements, a 60km stretch of river pulses with rare life. This is the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS), India's only protected habitat for the endangered Ganges river dolphin and a last bastion for the "blind swimmers" of the subcontinent. Named after the historic Vikramshila University, this sanctuary, declared in 1991, stretches from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, encompassing a rich mosaic of riverine biodiversity. Apart from being a safe haven for the iconic susu, it is also a thrumming aquatic theatre, hosting everything from elusive otters to critically endangered gharials, from soft-shelled turtles to over 135 species of waterfowl. The sanctuary is, in every sense, a living, breathing example of what India's rivers once were and could still be. "More than 250 dolphins and their calves can be sighted at Jhanwi Ghat, west of Bhagalpur. That is a clear indication that the water here is relatively clean and fit for the survival of dolphins," said Arvind Mishra, member of the governing council of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and a representative of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. "The efforts of both the authorities and environmentally conscious citizens have played a major role in creating conditions suitable for wildlife to flourish here," he added. What sets VGDS apart is its shifting, dynamic nature. During the monsoon, the Ganga's meandering channels and inundated floodplains reshape the land and water, constantly redrawing the map of this sanctuary. A particularly rich 36km stretch from Sultanpur to Bhagalpur turns into a breeding paradise for birds with sandbars emerging as seasonal nurseries for nesting species. "The sanctuary is also recognised as an 'important bird area' by the BNHS. It supports a host of endangered and migratory species like the Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga) and Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). Greater and Lesser adjutants too have been reported here," said Mishra. "The ecosystem also supports a sizable population of gharials, various freshwater turtles and numerous fish species," he added. But beneath this shimmering surface lies a current of concern. "Pollution from fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural runoff, along with industrial and domestic effluents, continue to threaten the sanctuary's delicate balance," said Sunil Chaudhary, a Bhagalpur-based expert on Ganges dolphins. "Construction of hydroelectric dams, bridges and irrigation reservoirs disrupt aquatic movement, while accidental killings in gill nets and poaching remain persistent threats," he added. Despite these looming challenges, there is an undercurrent of optimism. Conservationists believe the tide may be turning. Govt initiatives, community engagement and scientific studies have started to yield visible results. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Time of India
Boy injured in celebratory firing in Khagaria
Khagaria: A 12-year-old boy sustained a gunshot injury in a celebratory firing at Noniya Chak village under Bharatkhand police outpost in Khagaria district on Wednesday night. According to the villagers, some people started firing in the air during a wedding ceremony around midnight when a bullet hit victim Priyanshu Kumar of the same village. The victim was admitted to the local primary health centre (PHC) with an injury to his thigh. From there, he was rushed to Bhagalpur-based Mayaganj Hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable. Following the incident, chaos spread at the venue, and those involved in the celebratory firing fled the spot. At least 10-12 rounds of fire were shot in the air, according to eyewitnesses. Bharatkhand station house officer Roshan Kumar said they are making efforts to identify the accused, even as no formal complaint was received.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Three die in separate road accidents in Khagaria
Khagaria: Three people, including a couple, died in separate road accidents in Khagaria district on Sunday morning. Police said a couple died on the spot when a sand-laden truck rammed into a house between Sonbarsa Ghat and BP Mandal Setu, popularly known as Dumri bridge, over the Bagmati river on NH-107 under Chautham police station area of the district. SHO, Chautham police station, Ajit Kumar, said the deceased were identified as Ramavtar Muni (51), a daily wage worker and his wife Sarojini (41), residents of Sonbarsa village under the same police station. The driver, taking advantage of the darkness, managed to escape from the accident spot. Police said the bodies were sent to the sadar hospital for postmortem. The deceased left behind six minor children, including two daughters and four sons. Amrit Raj, a social activist, said that there was no one to take care of the children. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo In another incident, a motorcyclist was killed while the pillion rider was critically injured when their bike met with an accident on the Aguwani-Gogri-Narainpur (GN) embankment near Bharatkhand Chowk under Bharatkhand police outpost. SHO, Bharatkhand police outpost, Raushan Kumar, said the deceased was identified as Sudarshan Kumar (19), son of Mritunjay Chowdhary, a native of Mathurapur village under the same police station. Amit Kumar, the pillion rider who sustained critical injuries, was rushed to Bhagalpur-based JLNMCH, police said.
