Bangalore/Patna March 20: Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi today urged the Nitish Kumar government to take steps for release of captive Bihari labourers in Dharwar district of Karnataka. Ms Rabri Devi told mediapersons here that despite tall claims of Mr Kumar that ample job opportunities in Bihar had been created, the migration of labourers to other states in search of job was still going on unabated.

"A private company has made captive some Bihari labourers in Dharwar district of Karnataka which is really a matter of deep concern," she said adding Mr Kumar should exert pressure on his Karnataka counterpart to ensure safe release of the labourers.

The Nitish Kumar government was trying to project development in Bihar on the basis of forged data while the ground-level situation continued to remain unchanged, she alleged.

Four murder accused arrested

Police today arrested four members on charges of murdering a State Government Fair Price Shop owner last night while he was returning home after closing the shop at 2200 hrs.

Police said Narayana Gowda, Kumar, Venkatesh and Ravi Kumar had attacked Ranganath with lethal weapons and murdered him.

On interrogation, it was revealed that 15 days back a case was booked against the arrested who had quarelled with Ranganath over money matters. The culprits who came out on bail had indulged in the crime.

The arrested were produced before a Magistrate who remanded them to judicial custody.

Life sentence to 5 in car theft, murder case

Five accused in a car theft and murder of a driver on July 14, 2003 were awarded life sentence by IX ACMM court here today.

Police said the convicts Munna alias Munnasharma, Raja alias Mukshad Ahmad, Ramparamesh, Lahari and Salimsha, who hailed from Golla Taluk in Gorakpur District of Uttar Pradesh were also slapped a fine of Rs 2000 by the judge.

On July 14, 2003 the five had hired a Qualis car and driver Mukshad Ahmad saying that they had to visit Nagpur urgently to attend a funeral of one of their relative. When the driver and the car did not return even after 15 days, the driver's brother filed a complaint with police. Meanwhile, on July 18, 2003 Ahmad had called his office and stated that the hirers are trying to take away the car and forcing to drive towards Uttar Pradesh. He also informed that the accused were doing carpentry and painting work and staying in Nagavara in the outskirts of Bangalore.

On August 16, 2003 police arrested Munnasharma and on his information the other four were also arrested and chargesheets filed. The stolen car and weapons used for murdering the driver were recovered.

Public Prosecuter Ganapathy Prasanna argued the case on behalf of the government.

 
Our Correspondent