Bihar Police Official Links Murder Surge to Farm Off-Season, Sparking Backlash

Bihar Police Additional Director General (Headquarters) Kundan Krishnan has drawn criticism after attributing a seasonal spike in murders to a lull in farm activity. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Wednesday, the senior officer said most homicides in the state occur from April to June, a period when many farmers are idle until the monsoon begins. Krishnan added that media coverage and the upcoming 2025 state elections have amplified focus on violent crime. In response to the recent rise in killings, he said the force this month created a specialised cell tasked with building a database of former shooters and contract killers to improve surveillance and prevention. Opposition parties and commentators condemned the remarks as dismissive of deeper socio-economic factors driving crime, while farmer groups said the statement unfairly maligns the agricultural community. The Bihar government has not yet issued an official response.