ARA, Bihar: Residents of Kurmuri village in Sikrahta police station area, Tarari block, Bhojpur district, blocked the Bihiya-Piro-Bihta State Highway near Kurmuri Chowk for three hours on Thursday, demanding action in a jewellery theft case. They also called for the transfer of Station House Officer (SHO) Sanoj Kumar.

The protest, led by Kurmuri Panchayat Mukhiya Gauri Shankar Prasad, saw the victim's family and dozens of villagers sitting on the road. The homeowner, Ranju Kunwar (wife of late Jaiprakash Yadav), stated that on Wednesday night, she had gone to watch a play in the village with her son and daughter. Upon returning, she found jewellery worth over Rs 10 lakh missing from her house. She accused her neighbour, Baby Devi (wife of Santosh Sah), of entering the house through the roof and committing the theft. Villagers alleged police inaction in the current case and negligence in a goat theft incident a month prior.

SHO Sanoj Kumar clarified that the accused woman was interrogated, and initially, no written complaint was received. However, stolen jewellery was later recovered during a police search of the accused woman's house. Legal action has been initiated against the woman based on the written complaint. Piro SDPO Kanhaiya Kumar stated that complaints from the Mukhiya and others are being investigated, and the SHO has been instructed to solve the case and take necessary action. The blockade was lifted after assurances from officials, restoring normal traffic flow.