Patna, Feb 2 (IANS) Violence erupted in Bihar's Munger town Monday after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was shot dead, police said.

According to the police, Pankaj Verma, a BJP Kisan Morcha leader, was shot dead by unidentified men while he was returning home late Sunday night.

"Hundreds of supporters of the murdered leader, mostly BJP local leaders and workers, blocked roads and burnt tyres, pelted stones at police and set ablaze three police vehicles," a police official said.

They also raised slogans against the state government, the official added.

Tension prevailed in the area. The situation was brought under control after additional security forces were deployed, police officials said.

This was the third murder in Munger town, about 180 km from Patna, in last one month that agitated residents, who took to streets to protest.

Verma's family members and supporters view his murder as a political killing.