Dhanbad, March 21: Ex-Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad Neeraj Singh and three others were killed in a shootout resulting from a suspected gang war in Dhanbad on Tuesday evening, police said.
“Four persons, including the former Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad have been killed in the shootout. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the incident,” Jharkhand Police spokesperson cum ADGP R.K. Mallik said.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das has directed the DGP of Jharkhand to control the law and order situation in the coal city. Meanwhile, the protection of Jharia MLA Sanjeev Singh has been beefed up after the incident.
The other three persons killed in the incident were identified as Neeraj Singh�s bodyguard Laltu, driver Munna and his friend, Ashok Yadav. According to Mallik, the attack took place near Neeraj Singh�s house.
Sources said the incident took place around 7 pm when some unidentified criminals surrounded Singh�s car and fired indiscriminately on the vehicle, in which the four were travelling near Steel Gate of Dhanbad. According to police sources, an AK-47 was used in the firing. More than 20 bullet marks have been found on the vehicle.
Police said it could be the fallout of gang war. They said they are yet to identify the shooters and ascertain their motive.
Police recovered as many as 50 pellets of AK-47 from the crime scene. The former Deputy Mayor reportedly sustained 17 shots in his body. Neeraj Singh was sitting on the front seat beside the driver while his friend and bodyguard sat on the rear seat, sources said.
Sources said a Scorpio was seen around the crime scene just after the incident. Cops suspect the vehicle could have been used by the killers in carrying out their plan. The shootout took place when Neeraj Singh’s car slowed down near a speed-breaker, sources said.
A large number of Central Industrial Security Force personnel have been deployed outside Central Hospital, where Singh was initially admitted. He succumbed to his bullet injuries later.
Hundreds of supporters of the Ex-Deputy Mayor�s had gathered outside the hospital to protest against the deteriorating law and order situation in Jharkhand.