New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) The attack on Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi’s elder brother triggered a political row in Bihar on Monday, with the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alleging a serious deterioration in the state’s law-and-order situation.

Reacting to the incident, RJD MP Manoj Jha said the attack had drawn attention because of the victim’s connection to a prominent public figure.

“When there was an attack on Pankaj Tripathi’s brother, it became news because he is an important person. His name figures among Bihar’s distinguished and respected personalities. Every day, each and every common family in Bihar is living in fear, and there is no one to look after their concerns,” Jha told IANS.

Responding to the Opposition’s criticism, JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said the state government would ensure stringent action against the accused.

“Criminals will not be spared; those involved in such incidents should know that in Bihar, strict and decisive action is inevitable against them,” Ranjan said.

The political exchange came after Pankaj Tripathi’s brother, Vijendra Nath Tiwari, was allegedly assaulted with sticks and a sharp-edged weapon in what police described as a life-threatening attack linked to a land dispute.

The incident occurred on Sunday night at the actor’s ancestral village in the Barauli area of Bihar’s Gopalganj district.

Tiwari was initially admitted to Gopalganj Model Hospital before being referred to a medical facility in Patna for further treatment. Police said they acted swiftly following the incident and arrested one accused.

According to Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Vinay Tiwari, the arrested accused has been identified as Rajesh Sah and he is being sent to judicial custody.

He added that the victim’s family has not yet submitted a formal written complaint. Further legal proceedings will be initiated once a complaint is received, the officer said.

The family of the National Film Award-winning actor has so far declined to comment publicly on the matter. The incident has nevertheless triggered a fresh political debate over deteriorating law and order in Bihar.

–IANS

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