A BJP worker was shot dead in the Bihar capital on Thursday, triggering protests by party leaders. Police said two of the assailants have been arrested while raids were being conducted to nab the third accused.
According to police, Bharatiya Janata Pary worker Avinash Kumar was chased by three armed men and shot dead in the morning when he was on his way to a tea shop near a temple in Salimpur Ahra area.
Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Vikas Vaibhav said two of the accused have been arrested, and raids were on to arrest the third.
The three people, allegedly involved in the killing, were identified through CCTV footage.
"Preliminary investigation suggests that his killing was the result of personal enmity over some dispute," he said.
Police earlier also set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the killing.
BJP legislators raised the issue in the assembly and created a ruckus, that led to the speaker adjourning the house.
Hundreds of BJP workers and supporters blocked roads and burnt tyres to protest the killing.
With the assembly polls around the corner, BJP leaders led by legislator Nitin Navin linked the incident to the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
"The killing of a BJP worker has vindicated our stand that law and order has totally collapsed in the state," Nitin Navin said.
BJP state president Mangal Pandey, Leader of Opposition in the assembly Nand Kishore Yadav and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for failure on the law and order front.
"The killing has exposed the reality that 'jungle raj' has returned to Bihar after Nitish Kumar joined hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad," Pandey said.
