In a tragic incident that has shaken Bhojpur district, the body of a 10-year-old boy, missing for six days, was discovered in a well on the outskirts of his village on Sunday morning. The discovery has led to massive protests by the grieving family and villagers, who blocked a major road, alleging police inaction and demanding immediate justice.
Discovery of the Body and Immediate Aftermath
The deceased has been identified as Aditya Kumar Pandey, son of Rajnikant Pandey, a resident of Badka Lauhar village under the Barhara police station area. According to details, young Aditya had been missing since December 22. His family reported his disappearance to the local police the same evening, but a search over the next six days proved futile.
The grim discovery was made on Sunday morning when the boy's body was found in a well located on the village outskirts. The recovery sent shockwaves through the community, transforming grief into anger and leading to immediate public action.
Road Blockade and Family's Allegations of Murder
Fueled by anguish and allegations of foul play, the family members, joined by fellow villagers, staged a forceful protest. They blocked the crucial Ara-Barhara road for several hours on Sunday morning. In a dramatic display of their distress, protesters placed the boy's body in the middle of the road, burned tyres, and raised slogans demanding the arrest of the culprits.
The protestors leveled serious allegations, claiming the boy was murdered. A family member present at the protest stated, "The boy went missing around 3 pm on Dec 22. We reported the matter to the local police station that evening, but they could not trace him for six days." They presented a clear set of demands: the arrest of the accused within 24 hours, and either monetary assistance or a government job for the bereaved family as compensation.
Police Response and the Background of a Threat
Police officials, including Barhara Station House Officer (SHO) Ravikant, rushed to the protest site to pacify the crowd and clear the blockade. SHO Ravikant addressed the situation, stating, "Based on the statement of the family members, the police are conducting raids to nab the accused persons."
The boy's father, Rajnikant Pandey, provided a possible motive for the crime. He revealed that Aditya had recently visited his maternal grandmother's house in Dubey Chhapra village under Sinha police station with his mother. During this visit, they had a quarrel with a neighbour from that village. The neighbour, in a fit of rage, had allegedly threatened to give them "a grief that will torment them for the rest of their life." The family now suspects this neighbour's involvement in the tragic death of their son.
The incident highlights issues of law and order, police response time in missing persons cases, and the deep anguish that drives communities to public protest in search of justice. The police investigation is now focused on verifying the family's allegations and apprehending the suspects.
