NEW DELHI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- A close aide of former lawmaker and jailed politician Mohammed Shahabuddin was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in India's eastern state of Bihar, police said on Saturday.
Forty-year-old Mohammad Yusuf was killed on Friday night at Pratappur village of Siwan district, about 162 km northwest of Patna, the capital city of Bihar.
"Late last night, gunmen shot dead Mohammad Yusuf at village Pratappur here," a senior police official posted in Siwan said.
"Though he was immediately rushed to hospital by his relatives, doctors there declared him brought dead," the police official said.
Yusuf's killing triggered protests and tension in the town.
Reports said hundreds of angry villagers, mostly Shahabuddin's supporters, blocked roads demanding identification of assailants and action against them.
Police registered a case and ordered investigation.
"We are looking at all the possibilities to identify the men involved and explore their motive behind the killing," the police official said.
Doctors said Yusuf had bullet wounds in his chest.
Authorities deployed police contingents in the town to contain the situation and prevent any flare up.
