Three Days After Sand Mining Worker Was Shot, No FIR Registered; Police Entangled in Jurisdiction Dispute
Bhagalpur: A serious incident linked to illegal sand mining on the border of Bhagalpur and Banka districts has raised questions about the functioning of the police. According to allegations, on the night of July 20, Nitish Kumar, a resident of Fatehpur village, was shot by criminals during sand mining operations near the boundary of Jagdishpur (Bhagalpur) and Rajaun (Banka) police station areas. He sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. However, even three days after the incident, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, leading to growing resentment among the victim's family and local residents.
Reports suggest that the police of both districts are locked in a dispute over which police station has jurisdiction over the crime scene. As a result, the case has yet to be formally registered.
Worker Shot During Sand Mining
According to available information, the shooting occurred late on the night of July 20 during sand mining activities. Nitish Kumar, a resident of Fatehpur village, was seriously injured after being hit by a bullet.
People present at the scene immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he continues to receive medical treatment. Although the police were informed shortly after the incident, the victim's family alleges that no substantial action has been taken so far.
No FIR Even After Three Days
The biggest concern in the case is that no FIR has been registered despite the passage of three days. The victim's family claims they have repeatedly approached the authorities seeking justice, but the matter has remained pending due to the jurisdictional dispute between the two police stations.
Local residents believe that had the FIR been registered promptly and the investigation begun immediately, the chances of identifying and arresting the accused would have been much higher.
Police Stations Disagree Over Jurisdiction
According to reports, the Rajaun Police Station and the Jagdishpur Police Station are both trying to determine whether the incident took place within their respective jurisdictions.
As a result, neither police station has accepted responsibility for registering the case, raising serious concerns about the efficiency of the police response.
Residents have criticized the authorities, saying that instead of focusing on the investigation and ensuring justice for the victim, the police are preoccupied with deciding jurisdiction.
Senior Officers Took Cognizance
A few hours after the incident, City SP Atulesh Jha took cognizance of the matter and assigned DSP (Law and Order) Navneet Kumar the responsibility of verifying the crime scene and recording the statement of the injured victim.
Despite the intervention of senior officers, the jurisdiction of the crime scene has still not been officially determined, delaying further legal proceedings.
Delay in Recording Victim's Statement
According to police officials, Nitish Kumar is undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH). His statement could not be recorded immediately because he underwent surgery after sustaining the gunshot injury.
The DSP stated that the victim's statement would be recorded as soon as his medical condition permits, after which further legal action will be taken.
Jurisdiction Dispute Raises Questions
The incident has once again highlighted the issue of delays caused by jurisdictional disputes in crimes occurring along district borders.
Local residents argue that regardless of the exact location of the crime, the priority should have been to register the case immediately, ensure justice for the victim, and initiate action against the accused.
Legal experts also believe that in such situations, the police should first register the FIR and begin the investigation, while the final determination of jurisdiction can be resolved later through administrative procedures.
Illegal Sand Mining Under Scrutiny
The incident has also renewed concerns over illegal sand mining activities in the area. Residents allege that unauthorized sand extraction has been taking place along the district border for a long time.
They argue that if effective action had been taken earlier against illegal mining, such a violent incident might have been prevented.
People have demanded stricter enforcement against illegal mining operations and increased police patrolling in the region.
Family and Villagers Express Anger
The injured worker's family has expressed dissatisfaction with the police response. They believe immediate legal action should have been taken after the shooting instead of delaying the process over jurisdictional issues.
Villagers have also demanded a fair investigation, the swift arrest of those responsible, and justice for the victim.
Police Response
The DSP (Law and Order) said that the victim's surgery caused a delay in recording his statement. He assured that the appropriate police station would soon be identified, an FIR would be registered, and the investigation would proceed without further delay.
Police officials stated that considering the seriousness of the incident, all facts are being carefully examined and legal action will be taken against those found responsible.
The shooting of a sand mining worker on the Bhagalpur–Banka border and the failure to register an FIR even after three days have raised serious questions about police functioning. The delay caused by the ongoing jurisdictional dispute has led to frustration among the victim's family and local residents.
Attention is now focused on the police investigation. It is expected that the jurisdictional issue will soon be resolved, the FIR will be registered, and those responsible for the crime will face legal action.
