Patna,(BiharTimes): Punam Devi, the newly-elected mukhiya of Kolma panchayat of Harnaut block in Nalanda district, was on Friday gunned down near Milkypar village, about four kilometres from Kalyanbigha, the native village of chief minister Nitish Kumar, while she was returning home on a relative’s motorbike from Harnaut Bazaar, with articles to be used in a puja she was to organize at her residence to celebrate her victory.

Punam, wife of Indrajeet Singh, had defeated her nearest rival Geeta Devi, wife of Balli Gope, by a margin of 28 votes on June 6. According to Nalanda SP Kumar Ashish, who rushed to the spot, three criminals sprayed bullets on her face, chest and abdomen. She succumbed to her injuries before being taken to the hospital.

The SP said revenge cannot be ruled out. Pappu Singh and Pintu Singh, the musclemen, who supported Geeta Devi, may be involved in the crime.

Raids are on to arrest them.