Two back-to-back firing incidents in the state capital and its neighbouring Khunti on Thursday night sent shockwaves among residents who are already in the grip of fear because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In the first incident in Ranchi, one of three criminals sitting on a motorcycle opened fire on land dealer Dhaman Ram at Edalhatu Chowk under Bariatu police station area at 8.30pm on Thursday.

Ram was lucky as both bullets hit the motorcycle on which he was sitting.

“The incident happened around 8.30pm when Ram had gone to purchase milk. An FIR was registered around 10pm,” a police official said.

Acting officer in-charge (OC) of Bariatu police station Tirth Raj Tiwary said investigation has begun. “So far it’s not clear who attacked the land dealer and why,” Tiwary said.

In the second incident, a 25-year-old para teacher was shot at by two men who barged into her house at Sandi in Khunti, around 60km from Ranchi, and fired two rounds around 11pm on Thursday.

The victim, Neelam Bhengra, and her mother were sleeping at the time.

“Two men managed to enter Neelam Bhengra’s room and opened two rounds of fire one after another. One hit her left thigh and another hit a finger of her left hand. The criminals left the house threatening the women with dire consequences if they called the police,” a villager said.

Neelam was taken to the sadar hospital, around 25km from the village.

“She was referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, for better treatment,” the villager said.

Khunti superintendent of police Ashutosh Shekhar said the condition of the woman was stable.

“As the bullet did not hit any of her vital organs she will survive,” Shekhar said.

Asked what could be the motive behind the attack, Shekhar said: “That is not clear yet.”

A local resident said: “The girl is the daughter of Christian priest and social worker Chamu Hassa Purty who was shot dead on October 13, 2015, by PLFI extremists. Involvement of the outfit cannot be ruled out.”