An attack on a political candidate in Bihar during election campaigning has raised concerns about safety and security ahead of the assembly polls. Jyoti Manjhi, a candidate from the NDA alliance and the HAM party, was attacked with bricks and stones while returning from a campaign event in the Barachatti assembly constituency. The incident occurred near Sulbatta Mode on November 5, 2025, when three youths on a motorcycle threw stones at her convoy of ten vehicles. A brick hit Jyoti Manjhi directly on her chest, causing injury. The attackers fled immediately after the assault. She was rushed to the 12 Chakki government hospital for initial treatment and later referred to Magadh Medical College for further care. Jyoti Manjhi is notably related to Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, being his daughter-in-law. This incident is the second major attack on HAM party candidates within a week. Just seven days earlier, HAM candidate Anil Kumar Singh from Tikari assembly seat was also assaulted during campaigning, resulting in a broken arm. Local residents and party supporters have expressed concerns that these attacks appear to be part of a deliberate political conspiracy aimed at disrupting the election process. They are demanding immediate arrests of the attackers and stronger security measures for candidates. The violence has created tension in the region, with supporters calling for police action. Authorities have been urged to ensure fair and peaceful elections without intimidation or violence against candidates and their teams.
Details of Attack on NDA Candidate
The assault took place while Jyoti Manjhi was returning from a campaign trip to Bhulua area with a convoy of ten vehicles. Near Sulbatta Mode in Barachatti constituency, three young men on a motorcycle launched a sudden attack, pelting her car with bricks and stones. One brick struck her directly on the chest, causing significant injury. The attackers quickly escaped from the scene after carrying out the assault. The incident happened in broad daylight during active campaigning for the Bihar assembly elections. Jyoti Manjhi's supporters immediately took her to the nearby 12 Chakki government hospital where doctors provided emergency treatment. After initial examination, medical staff decided her condition required specialized care and referred her to Magadh Medical College. The attack has shocked party workers and raised questions about candidate safety during the election period. Local police are investigating the matter, though no arrests have been reported yet.
Political Background of Jyoti Manjhi
Jyoti Manjhi has a significant political journey connected to Bihar's leadership. She is the daughter-in-law of Jitan Ram Manjhi, who currently serves as a Union Minister in the central government. Her entry into active politics came in 2010 when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, impressed by her social work, encouraged her to contest elections. She won her first election that year and became a member of the legislative assembly. However, during the 2015 assembly elections, the political split between Jitan Ram Manjhi and Nitish Kumar meant she did not receive a ticket to contest. After five years away from the assembly, she made a successful comeback in 2020, winning the Barachatti seat on a HAM party ticket as part of the NDA alliance. She has been actively involved in constituency development and social welfare programmes. Now seeking re-election from the same seat, she has been campaigning extensively across villages and towns in her constituency.
Second Attack on HAM Candidate This Week
This assault on Jyoti Manjhi is the second major violent incident targeting HAM party candidates within just one week. Seven days before this attack, Anil Kumar Singh, the HAM candidate from Tikari assembly constituency, faced a life-threatening assault during his campaign activities. He was campaigning in a village when local residents surrounded him and began questioning him about road construction projects. The situation escalated rapidly from questioning to physical confrontation. During the violence, Anil Kumar Singh's arm was broken, requiring immediate medical attention. His vehicles were also vandalized during the incident. These back-to-back attacks on candidates from the same party have created serious concerns about the safety environment during election campaigning. Party leaders and workers are questioning whether adequate security arrangements are being provided to candidates. The repeated nature of these incidents has led many to suspect organized attempts to intimidate or harm specific candidates rather than isolated random acts of violence.
Demands for Police Action and Security
Following the attack, party supporters and local residents have intensified demands for immediate police action against the perpetrators. They are calling for swift arrests of the three motorcycle-borne attackers who assaulted Jyoti Manjhi. Many supporters have gathered to express solidarity with the injured candidate and to pressure law enforcement authorities. Local people claim these incidents are not random acts of violence but carefully planned political conspiracies designed to disrupt the democratic process. They argue that the timing and nature of the attacks suggest coordination and deliberate targeting. Political observers note that such violence creates fear among candidates and their teams, potentially affecting free and fair campaigning. Opposition parties have also raised concerns about deteriorating law and order during the election period. There are increasing calls for the Election Commission to intervene and ensure better protection for all candidates regardless of party affiliation. Civil society groups have emphasized that violence has no place in democratic elections and that authorities must act decisively.
Medical Treatment and Current Condition
After the assault, Jyoti Manjhi received immediate medical attention at the 12 Chakki government hospital located near the incident site. Emergency doctors examined her chest injury caused by the brick impact and provided necessary first aid treatment. Given the nature and severity of the injury, medical staff determined that she needed advanced care and diagnostic facilities. Consequently, doctors referred her to Magadh Medical College, which has better infrastructure and specialist doctors. At the medical college, she is undergoing detailed examination and treatment for her chest injury. Medical personnel are monitoring her condition carefully to check for any internal damage from the blunt force impact. The brick hitting her chest directly raised concerns about possible rib fractures or internal injuries that require thorough investigation. Her family members and party leaders have been by her side at the hospital. Despite the injury and ongoing treatment, her supporters remain hopeful for her quick recovery so she can resume campaigning before the election date.
Source: Link