A violent land dispute in Bihar's Saharsa district has left a 35-year-old man fighting for his life after he was shot late on Monday night. The incident occurred in the Banma Ithari police station area, highlighting the ongoing tensions over property in the region.
Night of Terror: The Attack Details
The victim, identified as Tuntun Pandit, a resident of Sarbela (ward no. 13), was attacked around 11.30 pm on Monday. According to police reports, Tuntun had taken dinner at home and gone to sleep in a roadside hut. This hut was constructed on a four-katha plot of his family's land, which is used for farming and keeping cattle. Tuntun often stayed overnight to guard the property.
His father, Amar Pandit, recounted the harrowing sequence. He stated that his son called the family in a state of distress, informing them that two fellow villagers—Sanoj Sada and Manoj Sada—were attempting to forcibly abduct him. When Tuntun resisted their efforts, one of the assailants allegedly opened fire, hitting him in the stomach.
Critical Condition and Medical Emergency
By the time family members rushed to the spot, they found Tuntun lying in a pool of blood. In a frantic bid to save his life, they first took him to the Simri Bakhtiyarpur sub-divisional hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was immediately referred to Saharsa Sadar Hospital and was later admitted to a private medical facility for specialized care.
Dr. Vijay Shankar, the attending doctor, confirmed the gravity of the situation. He reported that the patient arrived with a gunshot wound on the lower right side of his abdomen. "His condition was critical on arrival," Dr. Shankar stated. After an urgent blood transfusion, emergency surgery was performed on Tuesday to remove the bullet.
The surgery revealed extensive internal damage. "The bullet damaged the intestine at two places and was lodged in the bone," the doctor added, underscoring the life-threatening nature of the attack.
Police Investigation and Land Dispute Roots
Acting swiftly, police from the Banma Ithari station have registered a case and launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting. SHO Khusboo Kumar confirmed that the primary motive appears to be a long-standing feud over a piece of land. "Efforts are underway to arrest the two accused, Sanoj and Manoj, both residents of the same village. According to the complainant, the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute over a piece of land," the SHO told the media on Tuesday.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, bringing the issue of violent land conflicts in rural Bihar back into sharp focus. As Tuntun Pandit remains in a critical condition, the police hunt for the accused continues, with the hope of delivering swift justice.
