JD(U) students' wing leader shot dead in Patna on Holi

A leader of the students' wing of the ruling JD(U) was shot dead here, allegedly by an associate who took exception to non-inclusion of his name in a poster put up for Holi festivities, police said on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajesh Singh Prabhakar, Kanhaiya Kaushik was killed in Patel Nagar area of the city on Tuesday night and two persons, Amar Kant Jha and Dharmendra, have been arrested in this connection.

Kush, the prime accused who had allegedly pulled the trigger, however, was absconding, he said.

Kaushik was a spokesman with the Chhatra JD(U) and the vice-president of the students' union of A N College.

He had lodged a police complaint against Kush and his associates on Tuesday after they engaged a scuffle with him over non-inclusion of their names in posters printed for "Holi milan" function, organized on the eve of the festival.

Hours later, Kush called up Kaushik saying he wanted to patch up and requested that they meet at Patel Nagar late in the night, the deputy SP said.

As the matter could not be settled, Kush opened fire in a fit of rage, killing Kaushik, he said.

One of Kaushik's associates also received a gunshot injury in the melee and was admitted to a hospital, Prabhakar said, adding that Kush, along with Jha and Dharmendra who were accompanying him, fled the spot.

Supporters of Kaushik staged a demonstration here in protest against the attack.

They were pacified by JD(U) MLC Ranvir Nandan, who described the deceased leader as "an active worker" of the party and gave assurances that the accused will be brought to justice soon.