A 55-year-old security guard, Birsa Munda, was bludgeoned to death while foiling a robbery attempt at the Jagannathpur Temple in Ranchi on Thursday night. Police said unidentified criminals entered the temple through an unlocked gate, attacked the guard, and stole cash from the donation box. Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan confirmed that the case is being investigated as both robbery and murder, with CCTV footage already helping identify a suspect. Forensic teams and a dog squad have been deployed to examine the crime scene.
The shocking incident has raised serious concerns about law and order in Jharkhand, especially as the temple is located less than a kilometre from the State Assembly in a high-security zone. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo slammed the state government, calling the murder in such a sensitive area “alarming and appalling,” and warned that Jharkhand risks becoming a “hotbed of crime.” He demanded accountability from the administration for rising criminal incidents.
Political reactions also came from Congress leader Ajay Nath Shahdeo, who demanded adequate compensation for the deceased guard’s family and stronger security measures in high-profile zones. Hatia DSP P.K. Mishra said a case has been registered against unidentified criminals and assured that efforts are underway to solve the case swiftly. The incident has reignited debate over policing gaps and the need for tighter security at religious and public institutions.