Tractor driver shot dead, vehicle looted in Madhepura

Madhepura: Unidentified criminals shot dead a tractor driver ferrying maize and escaped with tractor on state highway-91 near Tulsiya flood relief camp under Behariganj police station area in Madhepura district on Monday.

Local villagers spotted the driver's body on the roadside and informed the police. Behariganj SHO Lavkush Kumar, along with a police team, rushed to the spot. The deceased was identified as Shivam Kumar (30), son of Suresh Sharma and a resident of Chathariya Pir Ward No. 3 under Bhawanipur police station area in Purnia district.

Shivam lived with his in-laws in Anandpura village under Uda-Kishunganj police station area of Madhepura district. He had loaded maize bags belonging to neighbouring Haraili-based trader Bablu Chaudhari and set for a warehouse in Behariganj late Sunday night. Police suspect that the assailants may have taken a lift on the tractor before committing the crime and fleeing with the vehicle.

Police sent the body to Madhepura Sadar Hospital for the postmortem. “Further action will be taken after an FIR is filed in this regard,” said the SHO.