An eight-year-old boy was shot in the forehead in Bihar’s Munger district, after he refused to buy cigarettes for a man. The incident took place at Dharhara police station in Govindpur village on Sunday afternoon.
The boy was lighting a fire near his house when a local man, identified as Nitish Kumar, came and asked him to go and get cigarettes from the shop. When the boy refused, citing the cold weather, Nitish allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the boy in the forehead before fleeing the scene.
Hearing the gunshots, family members and neighbors rushed to the area and found the boy lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to Dharhara Community Health Center with the help of villagers. The doctors there referred him to Munger Sadar Hospital to receive the best care. Due to his critical condition, he was later transferred to a higher medical facility.
Dr Anurag, a doctor at Munger Sadar Hospital, said the bullet entered the boy’s forehead near his nose. He confirmed that the boy’s condition is critical and he needs special care immediately.
Police officials, including Sadar DSP Rajesh Kumar, visited the spot and found a bullet casing. DSP Kumar said Nitish Kumar, a resident of Govindpur, fled after the incident. He further said that the defendant has a criminal record and was already wanted in another case. Efforts to arrest him are ongoing.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Union Minister Jayprakash Yadav criticized the state government for the incident, calling it an example of lawlessness in Bihar. He said the rising crime rate reflected the failure of the administration and described the country as a state of “jungle raj.”
The police have intensified their search for the accused, and the child is still being hunted. Further investigations are ongoing.