Binod Prasad
Lohardaga
Two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at a construction site of the Lohardaga bypass late Thursday night and set a Hyva vehicle on fire, leaving a security guard injured and triggering panic in the area.
The incident occurred around 9.30 pm at Kaimo Mahuatoli under Sadar police station limits. According to preliminary information, the attackers fired three rounds after reaching the site. They allegedly first tried to set a camper vehicle ablaze before targeting workers.
Construction agency employee Raj Kumar Yadav, who was sleeping inside a pickup vehicle, was reportedly woken up by the assailants and ordered to leave. They allegedly fired two rounds at him, but he escaped unhurt.
Security guard Shashi Bhushan Lakra sustained a bullet injury to his shoulder. He was taken to Lohardaga Sadar Hospital and later referred to RIMS, Ranchi, for further treatment. His condition was reported to be stable.
The assailants then allegedly set a parked Hyva vehicle on fire, damaging its front portion, before fleeing. They reportedly walked nearly 1.5 km from the main road to reach the site and were carrying a country-made pistol.
Lohardaga SP Sadique Anwar Rizvi, SDPO Shraddha Kerketta and Sadar police station in-charge Inspector Ratnesh Mohan Thakur reached the spot and inspected the site. Police questioned workers and witnesses, collected evidence and launched raids at suspected hideouts. Technical and human intelligence are being used to identify the accused.
SP Rizvi said no previous complaint regarding any extortion or levy demand had been received from the construction agency.
Work at the site was temporarily affected, but officials said construction would continue with enhanced security.
The nearly 19.9-km Lohardaga bypass, estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore, is being constructed from Hirhi to Jogna by Vijay Kumar Sahu Infrastructure Private Limited, Ranchi.
