Bihar Under Fire: Surge in Shootings Sparks Political Uproar Over Law and Order

Introduction: Violence Shakes Bihar’s Core

Bihar is once again at the center of a storm over law and order, following the recent killing of businessman Vikram Jha in Patna. His cold-blooded murder, caught partially on CCTV and shared widely on local media channels, has sparked outrage among citizens and political leaders alike. In the days following the incident, multiple shootings have been reported across the state, bringing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's governance under intense scrutiny.

As questions swirl about the effectiveness of the police and state response, opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and Chirag Paswan have escalated their criticism, demanding accountability, transparency, and a reassessment of internal security measures. For many, Bihar’s current state raises uncomfortable comparisons with its more violent past—an image the state has been trying hard to shake.

The Murder of Vikram Jha: Catalyst for a Broader Crisis

Vikram Jha, a well-known entrepreneur in Patna, was gunned down in broad daylight near his business premises in what appears to be a planned and targeted assassination. Initial investigations suggest possible links to extortion rackets, which have reportedly surged in Bihar's urban areas.

Eyewitnesses claim that the assailants arrived on motorcycles, fired multiple rounds at close range, and fled without resistance. The lack of a prompt police response—despite the incident occurring in a high-security commercial zone—has only added fuel to public outrage.

Vikram Jha’s death is no isolated event. In the week following the murder, reports of at least four separate shootings surfaced from districts including Muzaffarpur, Gaya, and Begusarai. The victims included a local political worker, a private contractor, and two young men in a suspected gang-related crossfire.

A Pattern of Rising Crime: Numbers Tell a Stark Tale

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Bihar has seen a steady increase in gun-related crimes and contract killings since mid-2023. While earlier this year the government claimed improvement in law enforcement metrics, recent months have seen a spike in:

• Extortion cases, especially targeting small-to-medium business owners

• Crimes involving unlicensed firearms, many of which are locally manufactured

• Police complaints filed against unidentified assailants, suggesting ineffective investigative mechanisms

Despite the presence of specialized units like the Special Task Force (STF) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), public confidence in Bihar's ability to maintain safety is diminishing quickly.

Political Fallout: Opposition Demands CM’s Resignation

The political reverberations of the violence have been immediate and fierce. Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy CM and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), wasted no time in launching a blistering attack on Nitish Kumar, questioning his control over the police force and alleging that the state has become "lawless under his watch."

Yadav remarked in a press conference:

"When a prominent businessman can be murdered in broad daylight, what security does a common man have? The CM is more focused on coalition politics than real governance."

Chirag Paswan, President of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), echoed these sentiments, stating that "Bihar is returning to the jungle raj era." He has called for a special legislative session to address the law-and-order crisis and urged the Centre to take cognizance.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was once part of Nitish Kumar’s alliance, has also weighed in. Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi warned that unless the government acts fast, "Bihar may lose the gains made in the last decade on internal security."

CM Nitish Kumar’s Response: Reassurance or Deflection?

In the face of mounting criticism, CM Nitish Kumar addressed the press, expressing regret over the incidents and promising "swift action." He emphasized that several arrests have already been made in connection with the Vikram Jha murder and that a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to probe the sequence of events.

However, critics argue that similar promises were made in past cases, with little improvement on the ground. The police, meanwhile, have launched night patrols, random weapon checks, and surveillance expansion initiatives, but it may be too little, too late in the eyes of the public.

Public Reaction: Anger, Grief, and Fear

Citizens in Patna staged a candlelight march in memory of Vikram Jha, with many holding placards asking, “Who’s next?” Business groups such as the Patna Merchants Association have threatened a statewide bandh if “concrete reforms” are not implemented in the next 15 days.

One local shopkeeper near the murder site told reporters,

“We lock up by 8 p.m. now. There’s no trust left in the police. We are all just trying to survive quietly.”

Social media has amplified the voices of thousands of Biharis demanding safer streets, stronger surveillance systems, and police reforms. Hashtags like #JusticeForVikramJha and #BiharCrimeWave have trended for days.

Legal Framework and Enforcement Gaps

Experts argue that Bihar’s Criminal Justice Infrastructure is woefully under-equipped to deal with modern crime. With over 30% of police positions vacant and inadequate forensic capabilities, crime-solving is often reactive rather than preventive.

Legal experts also point to the low conviction rate in Bihar’s criminal courts, which emboldens criminals. Without judicial reforms and speedy trials, many say that law enforcement alone cannot stem the tide.

Former DGP Abhayanand recently stated in an interview,

“Without intelligence-driven policing and modernization, Bihar will always struggle to contain crime.”

Is Federal Intervention on the Cards?

Though the Centre has not yet made any official statement, there is growing speculation that Union Home Ministry officials may soon visit the state to assess the situation. In extreme cases, Article 355 of the Constitution allows the Centre to intervene when a state government fails to maintain law and order.

While such a move would be politically sensitive—especially given Bihar’s complex coalition landscape—it remains a possibility if the violence continues unchecked.

Conclusion: A State at a Crossroads

The recent shootings, particularly the assassination of Vikram Jha, have brought Bihar to a critical inflection point. As public anger mounts, and political leaders from across the spectrum raise alarm, the onus lies on CM Nitish Kumar’s administration to act—fast and decisively.

For a state that has long battled the image of being lawless, today’s violence is not just a criminal issue—it is a political and social crisis. Whether Bihar can recover from this moment depends not only on arrests and inquiries but also on rebuilding public trust through genuine reform.