Man shoots 8-year-old boy for refusing to buy cigarettes in Bihar's Munger

(News Agency)- An eight-year-old boy was shot in the forehead in Bihar's Munger district, after he refused to buy cigarettes for a man. The incident occurred in the Dharhara police station area in Govindpur village on Sunday afternoon. The boy was warming himself by a fire near his home when a local man, identified as Nitish Kumar, approached and asked him to fetch cigarettes from a shop. When the boy declined, citing the cold weather, Nitish allegedly pulled out a pistol and shot the boy in the forehead before fleeing the scene. Hearing the gunshot, family members and neighbours rushed to the spot and found the boy lying in a pool of blood.
He was taken to the Dharhara Community Health Centre with the help of villagers.
Doctors there referred him to Munger Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.
Due to his critical condition, he was later referred to a higher medical facility.Dr Anurag, a physician at Munger Sadar Hospital, said that the bullet was lodged in the boy’s forehead near his nose. He confirmed that the boy's condition was critical and required immediate specialised care.Police officials, including Sadar DSP Rajesh Kumar, visited the scene and recovered a bullet casing. DSP Kumar said that Nitish Kumar, a resident of Govindpur village, fled after the shooting. He added that the accused has a criminal record and was already wanted in another case. Efforts are underway to arrest him.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Union Minister Jayprakash Yadav criticised the state government over the incident, calling it an example of lawlessness in Bihar. He said the rising crime rate reflects administrative failure and described the state as being in a state of "jungle raj."
The police have intensified their search for the accused, while the child remains under critical care. Further investigations are ongoing.