NEW DELHI – Two journalists died on the spot as a SUV (sports utilityvehicle) rammed their bike in Bhojpur district of Bihar on Sunday night.

Family members of the journalists and locals alleged that they have been“murdered” by a former village Mukhia (village head).

Journalists Navin Nishchal and his associate, Vijay Singh, who worked forHindi daily *Dainik Bhaskar, *were hit by the vehicle on the Ara-Sasaramhighway under the Garhani police station limits.

The SUV was allegedly driven by Mohd. Harsu, husband of former village headSaheeda Pravin.

Mr. Nischal’s brother has lodged an FIR in the police station against Mr.Harsu, his son and others. Mr. Nischal had heated arguments with Mr. Harsuand his family members recently, the brother and some villagers said.

“The incidents smacks a well-hatched conspiracy to murder the journalistsby ramming an SUV on them so that it will look like an accident,” thevillagers said.

They alleged that as Mr. Nishchal and Mr. Singh were returning to thevillage, Mr. Harsu and his companion rammed the SUV into their bike andfled from the accident site. The SUV was later set on fire.

However, it is alleged that Mr. Harsu and his companions themselves set thevehicle on fire before fleeing from the spot “to remove” any evidence.