PATNA, June 19 -- Armed criminals shot dead two public representatives including a sitting mukhia of Valipur panchayat on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday and walked away without any fear or restriction at Lakhisarai. The two victims have been identified as - mukhia Chandan Kumar alias Domu Singh and ward representative Chandan Kumar, who was also a Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) member. Chandan's mother Indu Devi is the ward councillor. Both the deceased are said to be active members of Janata Dal United. Lakhisarai is the influence area of Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. The incident has led to protests in the town, triggering panic and outrage in the area. The deceased mukhia is said to be close to the Union minister. The dare devil incident has shaken the residents, leaving the local community in shock and fear. The motive behind the murders remains unclear and police were yet to identify the suspects. Preliminary investigation revealed that the reason behind the incident is said to be an old enmity between some of the miscreants with mukhia because he has a criminal record. The incident occurred at Hanuman Gali under Pipariya police station limits at around 1am when both were returning home after attending a shradh ritual. As soon as they reached Valipur-Ramchandrapur armed assailants intercepted and sprayed bullets on them. Eyewitnesses said they heard multiple gunshots and rushed to the scene, only to find the victims critically wounded. Assailants fired more than 25-30 rounds. Mukhia received six bullet wounds while PACS member got two bullet injuries. Locals and police personnel rushed the duo to Sadar Hospital, but doctors declared them dead on arrival. Lakhisarai SP Ajay Kumar said, "Preliminary inquiries pointed towards a personal enmity, possibly linked to the victims' political rivalry. An investigation is underway and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty. Three suspects have been taken into custody for interrogation/investigation." A forensic team was deployed to the crime site to collect evidence. Police recovered two empty bullet casings from the site. The police, reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits. The CCTV footage is expected to play a crucial role in identifying the perpetrators. Targeted killings and other criminal activities, according to opposition laders, are on the rise due to lack of proper functioning of the law and order machinery. Opposition leaders are even highlighting this during their political campaigns as the state heads towards polls....