15 December 2024, Vikas Kumar Ojha(Patna) & Namo Narayan Mishra (Gopalganj): In a deeply distressing incident, two young laborers from Bihar’s Gopalganj district—19-year-old Lakshman Kumar, son of Birendra Mukhiya, and 20-year-old Dashrath Kumar, son of Mohan Sahni—were shot dead amidst escalating violence in Manipur’s Kakching district. The victims, part of a group of workers from Rajwahi Bin Toli village, had traveled to Manipur after Diwali in search of work to support their families.
According to reports, the laborers were attacked by unidentified assailants while walking on a road in Kakching. Sonalal’s father and other workers, who were walking behind the duo, narrowly escaped the attack. The tragic news has left the families of the deceased in a state of shock and mourning.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed profound sorrow over the killings, calling the incident “extremely unfortunate and heart-wrenching.” He announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of Lakshman and Dashrath from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The Chief Minister also directed the Labor Resources Department and Social Welfare Department to ensure additional benefits under existing government schemes. Furthermore, he instructed Bihar’s Resident Commissioner in Delhi to coordinate with officials in Manipur to expedite the repatriation of the victims’ bodies and provide every possible assistance to the bereaved families.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar also expressed deep grief over the incident, describing the killings as “highly concerning.” He extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, calling for swift action to address such acts of violence and ensure justice for the deceased.
The tragic deaths have sparked discussions about the safety and security of migrant workers from Bihar working in volatile regions. Families of the deceased are urging authorities for immediate measures to bring back the bodies and ensure justice. This incident underscores the urgent need for better safety mechanisms for migrant workers venturing into conflict-prone areas for livelihood.
