Patna, Aug 18: Following the tragic stampede in which seven people died and over a dozen were injured at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai in Bihar on the third Monday of Sawan, Jan Suraaj convener and Bankipur MLA, Prashant Kishor, visited the district on Tuesday to meet the injured and the bereaved families.

Kishor first visited Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital, where he met patients injured in the incident and enquired about their health and the treatment being provided to them.

He spoke with the injured to understand what happened and wished them a speedy recovery.

Kishor subsequently travelled to Pratappur village in Halsi block, where he met the families of three women who had died in the tragedy.

He expressed his condolences and assured the bereaved kin of all possible assistance.

After meeting the victims and their families, Kishor sharply criticised the Bihar government and district administration.

He alleged that despite the seriousness of the incident, no senior official had yet been held accountable.

He claimed that the administration appeared focussed on resolving the matter through compensation rather than determining responsibility.

Kishor questioned the practice of providing compensation of Rs 4 lakh, arguing that financial assistance alone cannot substitute for accountability when precious lives have been lost.

Kishor also questioned the status and scope of the investigation ordered after the incident.

He pointed out that the Commissioner and DIG had visited Lakhisarai and directed an enquiry, but said there was insufficient clarity about which officer was conducting the investigation and what specific aspects were being examined.

He demanded that the enquiry should establish who was responsible for the incident, and whether there were administrative or security lapses, which officials were responsible for any negligence, and what action should be taken against those found accountable.

Kishor also said that visits by elected representatives and ministers to the affected families were not enough, insisting that concrete administrative action must follow.

Several Jan Suraaj leaders and party workers accompanied Kishor during his visit, including Ravishankar Prasad Singh and Zila Parishad member Amit Sagar, along with local residents.

Kishor’s visit has added a political dimension to demands for an impartial investigation and accountability following the Ashok Dham temple tragedy in which seven people died and over a dozen were injured.

Patna, Aug 18: A property dealer was shot dead following an altercation among acquaintances during a late-night liquor party in Karaudichak village, under the Phulwari Sharif police station area of Patna.

The deceased has been identified as Golu Yadav. According to preliminary information, one of the youths present at the gathering allegedly opened fire, shooting Golu four times. He lost his life at the scene.

According to an official, four to five youths had gathered in an open area near a religious site in Karaudichak for a late-night liquor party.

During the gathering, an argument reportedly broke out between Golu and one of his companions over an unspecified issue.

The dispute escalated, following which one of the youths allegedly pulled out a pistol and fired four consecutive shots at Golu.

The shooting triggered panic at the spot. The accused youths reportedly fled immediately after the incident.

After receiving information, Phulwari Sharif police reached the scene and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Police took custody of Golu’s body and sent it for post-mortem examination.

Officers are questioning local residents and conducting searches at suspected locations to trace the accused and recover the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

Investigators are also working to identify all those who were present at the gathering and establish what led to the fatal confrontation.

Golu Yadav was reportedly involved in property dealing and land transactions.

Police are examining several possible angles, but the precise motive for the killing has not yet been established.

His family said Golu had left home in the evening. When he failed to return late at night, relatives began searching for him, only to subsequently learn that he had been killed.

The incident has left Golu’s family devastated, while the shooting has created an atmosphere of fear and tension in Karaudichak village.

An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in Phulwarisharif police station, and further investigation is on.

New Delhi, Aug 18: As US President Donald Trump lauded India’s electoral system to strengthen his point for introduction of mandatory voter identification requirements in the United States, the BJP on Tuesday called it a “proud moment” for the country.

Speaking to media, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, “This clearly shows how diligently, sincerely and transparently the Election Commission of India works. US President Donald Trump’s statement is a strong rebuttal to all those who repeatedly question the Election Commission of India and its functioning. They should at least understand that if the US President is praising India’s election system and the Election Commission, it demonstrates that our Election Commission works in a fair and transparent manner, leaving no room for doubt.”

BJP spokesperson R.P. Singh said, “India’s Election Commission and its electoral system are respected worldwide. The world acknowledges it as one of the best procedures. Donald Trump has now said that he wants to implement the process of voter ID cards through the SIR procedure, similar to what is done here. It’s good that both countries are learning from each other.”

Bihar Minister Ramkripal Yadav said, “Salute to Indian democracy, salute to the free Election Commission, salute to the people of Bihar, and salute to the system. Now, if America discusses India regarding elections, then it is a big thing.”

“India is giving a message to the world, and the US is appreciating it. So, it’s a proud moment. Awareness has increased, and participation is also increasing. The Election Commission has worked towards removing non-national people from the country,” he added.

However, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma disputed the BJP’s interpretation, saying, “Trump did not say that; your question is incorrect. Gyanesh Kumar said it. He asked Trump how such a large election could be conducted in the US without valid identification. The question is incorrect. You should instead ask why democracy has not come under attack in your country and why questions have not been raised about democracy there.”

“Gyanesh Kumar is going there and talking about voter IDs and all, but he is not saying that 80 per cent of people raise questions about him. So, in a democracy, there should not be one-way communication. We see that in the US, there is democracy and it is alive. Even after losing, he has chosen once again. The voting happens on ballot papers,” he added.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said, “Trump’s ideology is dangerous for our country. Because of Trump’s policies, our country’s economy has been affected. His policies have also impacted the interests of our farmers… Trump is not a person with a consistent ideology, nor is he a predictable leader. It is difficult to say what he might say or where he might turn next. Therefore, it would be in our country’s best interest to maintain a distance from him.”

US President Donald Trump cited India’s election system while giving renewed calls for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which seeks stricter citizenship requirements to vote in US elections.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump recalled that India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, recently asked the US administration about why elections in America are held without a valid photo identification card, as he made a case for mandatory photo IDs for every US voter to curb “electoral fraud”.

“Earlier this month, India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration — How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID,” Trump wrote.

Trump made these remarks to drum up support for the SAVE America Act, which would require Americans to show proof of citizenship to register to vote, impose a nationwide voter identification requirement and severely limit voting by mail.