Biharsharif: A 12-year-old boy lost his eyesight after being allegedly assaulted by neighbours over a minor dispute at Lohra village under the Harnaut police station area in Nalanda district on Saturday. Police have arrested the main accused and were conducting raids to nab others who have been named in the case.The victim, Sunny Kumar, a Class VIII student of a govt school, is the son of Shravan Kumar Tanti, a daily-wage labourer employed at a local hotel. Police said the attack was the fallout of a minor altercation that occurred about two weeks ago, when Sunny’s elder brother accidentally injured a neighbour’s child, Sahil, while playing. Though the issue appeared settled initially, tension simmered between the two families.According to villagers, the accused targeted Sunny when they found him alone. They alleged that Suggi Devi, along with her husband and other family members, first assaulted the boy’s mother and sister when they tried to intervene, before turning on Sunny. The boy was allegedly struck in both eyes with an iron rod, leaving him critically injured.Sunny was first rushed to Bihar Sharif sadar hospital, from where he was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) due to the severity of his injuries. Doctors at PMCH later confirmed that the injuries had caused irreversible damage, resulting in permanent loss of vision.Police have registered two FIRs in connection with the incident and named 10 accused. One of the prime accused, Manoj Tanti (22), has been arrested, while raids are underway to apprehend the remaining accused.Sadar DSP-2 Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal said additional police forces have been deployed in the village to prevent any escalation. “The situation is under control. Raids are being conducted to arrest the other named accused,” he said.
