Several people were injured in an attack by feudal strongmen on a Musahar settlement in Bana Manjhi Tola, Ward No. 11 of Khizarsarai Nagar Panchayat in Gaya on October 9, 2026, which is the home block of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Kanti Devi, a 65 year old woman who was critically injured, died during treatment. This has sparked widespread anger in the area.
At least three deaths of persons belonging to the Musahar community have been reported in this area within a month, along with a number of incidents of violence against the community. Earlier, a woman was raped and murdered in Pathra, the culprits are not yet arrested. Another case was the death of Ajay Manjhi of Kurwa Dharamshala in police custody, with allegations of collusion with brick-kiln owners. In 2024, Sajjan Manjhi of Mussepur was murdered for demanding payment of overdue wages.
Santosh Singh, a labour supplier from the same village, tried to force villagers of Bana Manjhi Tola to work at a brick kiln. The latter's refusal enraged the feudal goon who with three or four accomplices on 9 October began assaulting the residents of the hamlet.
Sajjan Manjhi, 30, suffered a head injury from a blow with a lathi. When Kanti Devi intervened, she was struck on the chest with a brick. She collapsed unconscious. Several other people were also injured. After Kanti Devi’s body arrived in the village, angry villagers blocked the Atri-Khizarsarai-Gaya road for several hours on 10 October.
A CPI(ML) investigation team led by District Secretary Comrade Niranjan Kumar visited Bana Manjhi Tola on 11 October. Santosh Singh. an arrogant person with a criminal background, had also on earlier occasions repeatedly entered homes of villagers and assaulted residents, he had also prevented them from grazing goats and other animals, and used to verbally abuse them. Villagers also told the team that women had faced pressure in the village to observe purdah and even their freedom to move about.
A Paswan woman from neighbouring Shaidpur village told the team that the accused had earlier driven his SUV over her three year old child, but no action was taken by the police.
The villagers further stated that no one from Manjhi Tola had taken any advance payment for working at a brick kiln and labourers were being forced to work at the kiln against their will. These incidents explicitly show how the poor, particularly members of the Musahar community, are being targeted by powerful feudal forces in complete unwillingness of the administration to act effectively and in time.
The CPIML held a protest march on 13 October in Khizarsarai and made the following demands: Immediate arrest of all those responsible for Kanti Devi’s death; An impartial investigation and a speedy trial; Stringent punishment for the guilty; Compensation of ₹20 lakh for the deceased woman’s dependants; A government job for one member of the deceased woman’s family; Proper medical treatment and adequate compensation for the injured; Protection for residents of the Musahar tolas from intimidation and violence; and, an immediate end to attempts to force labourers to work against their will.
CPIML leader Satyadev Ram said that the continuing oppression and violence against Mahadalits and poor communities in Bihar would not be tolerated. The most vulnerable sections of society must receive protection, dignity and justice, yet they continue to face violence by powerful people, land and housing insecurity, and social discrimination. Thousands of Musahar families remain landless and without proper housing, while their children lack access to quality education. The government must move beyond announcements and provide concrete guarantees of land, permanent housing, education, employment and social security.
Kumar Parvez, CPIML’s Magadh Zone incharge said the party had consistently fought against atrocities on the Mahadalit community and would continue to do so, and warned that any attempt to shield the perpetrators or evade responsibility would be met with broad popular resistance. Gaya District Secretary Niranjan Kumar said the struggle for justice must also address the wider issues of land for the landless, housing for the poor and better education for children. Ashok Manjhi, AIPWA leader Rita Barnwal, Raju Paswan and Bachchu Singh also addressed the meeting. Speakers said that violence against women and atrocities against Dalit and Mahadalit communities posed a serious challenge to a democratic society.
