Four fishermen attacked and one shot in Samastipur over unpaid Rs 1 lakh extortion

Police officials said that four fishermen who had gone to the banks of the Ganga at Sultanpur Diara in Samastipur district were intercepted by a group of unidentified men. The men allegedly demanded a payment of one lakh rupees in exchange for allowing the fishermen to continue their activity. When the fishermen refused to hand over the money, they were encircled and physically assaulted.

According to relatives of the victims, the assailants used blunt weapons and, in the course of the attack, shot one of the fishermen, who later succumbed to his injuries. The remaining three were left injured and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Local authorities have registered a criminal case and are investigating the incident as a case of extortion and homicide. The police have appealed for witnesses to come forward and have promised to intensify security measures for fishermen operating in the area.

The incident has raised concerns among the fishing community about the prevalence of illegal extortion by local gangs, prompting calls for stronger law‑enforcement action in the district.