DHANUSHA, Jan 12: Police on Saturday arrested a driver and owner of a crusher industry accused of murdering a young activist Om Prakash Mahato for raising voice against illegal extraction of aggregate from a local river in Dhanusha.
The arrested have been identified as Bipin Mahato, the owner of Churiya Mai Crusher Industry, and Jitendra Mahato, the driver. Police arrested the crusher plant owner while he was hiding in his in-law’s house in Janakpur, according to Inspector Ram Kumar Yadav of Area Police Office, Dhalkebar.
Police had already arrested two individuals including truck driver Munindra Mahato and Roshan Yadav, a friend of the deceased, on Friday for their alleged involvement in murdering Om Prakash the same day.
Om Prakash Mahato was killed by crusher mafia near Aaurahi River. He was beaten to death and then crushed by a tipper truck near the Aaurahi River, according to the sister of the deceased.
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Police have kept the crusher owner under custody at District Police Office, Janakpur, for further investigating.
According to DIG Pradhumna Karki, police chief of Province 2, Dhanusha Police have been directed to file a case against Mahato on murder charge. Likewiese, DIG Karki has also directed the District Police Office, Janakupur, to handle the case. The case was earlier handled by Area Police Office, Dhalkebar.
Likewise, tipper driver Munindra Mahato and friend of the deceased Roshan Yadav, have been shifted to the District Police Office, Dhanusha.
“People dying in highway is common as vehicles run in high-speed. But, it is highly unlikely that Mahato died in a road accident near the river,” DIG Karki told Republica.
Karki further added that the culprits involved in Mahato’s murder will face legal action.
“I have directed to file a case on the charge of murder, not vehicular accident,” Karki added.
The kin of the deceased filed a case at the District Police Office, Dhanusha, on Saturday. After the case was filed, the mortal remains of the deceased have been handed over to the family members after post-mortem at Janakpur Provincial Hospital.
Om Prakash Mahato aka Dilip was crushed by a tipper truck near the Aaurahi River in Mithila Municipality-5, Dhanusha early Friday morning. Dilip had been protesting against the illegal extraction of aggregate from the river.
As he was campaigning against the illegal extraction from the river, crusher operators had lured Om Prakash by offering him an expensive motorcycle. He had denied the offer. His father was threatened by the crusher operators for several times to take his life if he doesn’t stop campaigning against extraction of aggregate from the local river.
