Security Guard Killed Foiling Robbery at Ranchi’s Jagannathpur Temple

BJP Slams Govt

Ranchi: A 55-year-old security guard was bludgeoned to death on Thursday night while protecting the historic Jagannathpur Temple from a robbery attempt. The incident, occurring in a high-security zone less than a kilometer from the Jharkhand State Assembly, has ignited a fierce political row over the state’s deteriorating law and order.

The Incident: Bravery Amidst Brutality

The deceased, identified as Birsa Munda, was on duty when unidentified miscreants sneaked into the temple through an unlocked gate. According to Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Ranjan, the criminals targeted the temple’s donation box.

When Munda intervened to stop the theft, the attackers brutally assaulted him with blunt objects, killing him on the spot. The criminals managed to flee with cash from the donation box after the fatal struggle.

Investigation and Clues

Ranchi Police have launched a multi-pronged investigation involving forensic teams and the dog squad.

• CCTV Evidence: Police are currently scanning internal footage and have reportedly identified a suspect captured in the video clips.

• Forensic Sweep: Hatia DSP P.K. Mishra stated that the crime scene is being meticulously examined for DNA and physical evidence.

• Police Action: A case has been registered against unidentified criminals, with authorities vowing to solve the murder-robbery expeditiously.

Political Backlash: BJP Challenges State Govt

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted no time in holding the state government accountable for the security breach in an upscale, sensitive locality.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo termed the situation “alarming and appalling.” He pointed out that if a murder can occur within a high-security zone near the Assembly without immediate apprehension of the culprits, Jharkhand is at risk of becoming a “hotbed of crime.”

Echoing the call for action, Congress leader and JSCA Chairman Ajay Nath Shahdeo demanded adequate compensation for Birsa Munda’s family and urged the administration to step up security measures in the city’s high-profile zones.