Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, unleashed a fierce critique of the Nitish Kumar government on Saturday, following the murder of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Santosh Kumar Singh in Munger. Yadav alleged that Bihar’s law and order crisis has spiraled beyond Syria’s, leaving its 13.5 crore residents “at God’s mercy,” while only criminals, politicians, brokers, and senior bureaucrats remain secure.

Addressing the media, Yadav accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of being unwell and presiding over an administration mired in corruption. He cited recent crimes—another ASI’s killing in Araria on March 12, jewellery heists in Purnea, Hajipur, and Ara, alongside widespread rapes and murders—as evidence of a collapsing state. “Political leaders are shielding criminals,” he charged, noting his protests, including two statewide shutdowns, have been stifled. He lamented being barred from raising the issue in Parliament, with the Lok Sabha Speaker deeming law and order a state matter.

The murder of ASI Singh, fatally injured during a scuffle in Nandlalpur village on Friday night, has ignited a political firestorm. Singh, part of a DIAL 112 team responding to a disturbance caused by an inebriated Ranveer Kumar, was attacked with sharp weapons by Ranveer, Guddu, and their family. Grievously wounded, he was rushed to a private hospital, then referred to Patna, where he succumbed. A resident of Mohania, Kaimur, Singh had served at Munger’s Mufassil police station for a year.

Singh’s post-mortem was completed Saturday, and his body was sent to Kaimur. Munger’s DIG, District Magistrate, and SP paid tribute, honoring him with a guard of honour. The incident has intensified scrutiny on Bihar’s deteriorating security, with opposition and allies alike questioning the government’s grip.