Bihar govt to recommend CBI probe into scribe murder: Nitish

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the Bihar government will today recommend a CBI inquiry into the killing of a journalist at Siwan in the state on May 13.
"A decision has been taken to send the inquiry into the killing of a journalist of vernacular daily at Siwan to CBI on the request of his family. After following procedural code, the recommendation for CBI investigation would be handed over today itself," Kumar told newsmen here.
"... When I saw in the media the (journalist's) family's demand for a CBI probe, I personally asked the DGP to send a police team to acquaint the family with probe.

"Patna Zonal IG N H Khan met the family and they expressed satisfaction over the inquiry. We were prepared that if they are not satisfied, a CBI probe would be recommended in the Siwan incident," he said.
The chief minister said no effort has been spared in investigating the killing of Rajdeo Ranjan, the Siwan district bureau chief of Hindi daily 'Hindustan', and in the Gaya road rage incident.
"None should have any doubt that anybody would be protected in any crime ... In my government, nobody is above the law irrespective of party affiliation or social standing. We believe in the principle that police should conduct investigation in any crime independently and nobody should interfere in the probe process," Kumar said.

He also called on mediapersons to be responsible citizens and share information or clue, if any, with the probe officials in the two cases.

When asked about RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin's alleged link in the murder of the scribe on Saturday and progress of police investigation in the case, the chief minister called Director General of Police P K Thakur, present at the programme, and handed him over the loud speaker to answer the questions.
Rubbishing the charge of return of 'jungle raj' in Bihar, Kumar, during the one-and-half-hour press meet, asserted that "rule of law" prevailed in the state and he was personally committed to continue it in future too.

There have been allegations by NDA of return of 'jungle raj' under the present ruling coalition in which RJD is a partner and law and order becoming a casualty due to Kumar's tours outside the state for programmes on prohibition.
The Bihar chief minister said he was personally saddened
by the two killings. "I am in more pain over the two incidents than those shedding crocodile tears to score political points. For me the attack on the journalist at Siwan is like attack on myself."
On NDA's allegation of return of the 'jungle raj' in Bihar, Kumar said it was "a pre-decided tune which they play on case to case basis". Kumar added that he did not need any "certificate" from anybody on "rule of law". He said the rule of law prevailed in Bihar and would continue in future too.

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had called RJD 'Rozana Jungle raj ka Dar' (Daily fear of jungle raj) while campaigning for Bihar assembly polls, Kumar said, "People gave him a sound reply by electing Grand Secular Alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress with over two-thirds majority."
"They (NDA) have still not learnt any lesson and on case to case basis, their leaders start chanting the pre-determined tune of 'jungle raj'," he said.
On rivals' allegation that killings like those in Gaya and Siwan were occurring in the state as he, fuelled by his prime ministerial ambition, was busy travelling to Dhanbad, Varanasi and Lucknow to attend programmes on prohibition, Kumar shot back saying, "Since taking over as JD(U) President on April 10 I have been out of Bihar for merely 100 hours. So how come you comment about my absence?"

"I am a politician and have the responsibility of a party. Hence, I have to go to places ... Give me one instance that governance has been a casualty because of my going out (of the state) for a short period," he said.
Kumar said this charge was made against him by people hailing from "elite" class due to his "humble" background. "If anybody points any instance of compromise of governance due to my going out of the state for programmes, I will seek pardon holding my ears," he said.
Referring to the Siwan journalist's murder, the Bihar DGP said police efforts were focused on apprehending professional shooters suspectedly involved in the incident, investigating people behind it and motive behind the killing.

On police headquarters receiving a "hitlist" containing names of 23 people, including that of Rajdeo Ranjan, allegedly made by Shahabuddin, who is lodged in Siwan jail, he said, "An unverified information came in 2014, which after probe was found not true."
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In reply to a question, Kumar disagreed with suggestions that the previous coalition government headed by him in which BJP was a partner performed better from the point of view of law and order than the present Grand Secular Alliance dispensation.
"Killing of Ranbir Sena (a private militia of upper caste land owners) chief Brahmeshwar Mukhiya took place in June 2012 when people had fanned on roads and burnt my effigies. BJP was with me at that time," he said.

Kumar said after 2010, during the second term of the NDA government, BJP used to say the crime situation was better in the previous term and, when he parted ways with the party in June 2013, it said the scenario was better when BJP was in the government.
"Now they (BJP) see everything bad in Bihar ... They have this habit and hence it should not be taken seriously," he said.
Kumar trashed the opposition's charge of police going slow against JD(U) MLC Manorama Devi, who is still absconding in the case of recovery of six liquor bottles from her Gaya house, where property attachment notice has been pasted.

"Rs two crore was recovered from the house of a BJP leader who was minister in my government. BJP rewarded him and made him union minister of state (at the Centre)," Kumar said, apparently referring to Giriraj Singh, the BJP MP from Nawada.
On senior RJD leaders Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and MP Mohammad Taslimuddin attacking him over law and order, Kumar said, "This is the way they can get into news."
"Were their photographs in the posters of Grand Secular Alliance, in whose name we sought vote from the people ... People voted for our alliance in which I am the chief minister ... I will fulfil my commitment come what may," he said.

Replying to a question on alleged 'VIP gundagardi (rowdism)' directed towards Manorama Devi and jailed RJD MLA Raj Bhallabh Yadav and suspicions regarding former Shahabuddin's involvement in the journalist's killing, Kumar shot back saying, "Vijay Mallya flew out of India with Rs 9000 crore worth of loans.