One shot dead in UP as top officials look on; parties lash out at Yogi

Political parties have hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government for rising crime in the state a day after a firing incident in Ballia district of the state on October 15 in which one person was shot dead in front of top district officials and the police.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath late on Thursday (October 15) ordered immediate suspension of the local Sub-divisional Magistrate, Circle Officer and other police personnel.

The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, said those in power are challenging law and order openly. “A horrific incident that defied law and order in Ballia has come to light where a BJP leader shot and killed a young man in front of SDM and CO. The BJP leader also escaped after being shot in front of the police,” the party wrote in its official Twitter account.

Party spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said the government is run by criminals and Thursday’s incident is proof of the same.

Former BJP ally and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said there is no fear of law in the state.

#WATCH One person dead after bullets were fired during a meeting called for allotment of shops under govt quota, in Ballia.

Devendra Nath, SP Ballia, says, "The incident took place after a clash erupted between two groups during the meeting. Probe on." (Note-abusive language) pic.twitter.com/sLwRgkr9s4

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 15, 2020

Jaiprakash, 46, was allegedly shot dead by Dhirendra Singh, a BJP worker said to be close to party MLA Surendra Singh. A stampede followed after the shooting.

Visuals of the incident show a large number of people in a field as three shots are heard being fired. A panicked crowd is seen running frantically.

The victim was allegedly shot at a meeting in Durjanpur village after an official cancelled a meeting on allotment of ration shops due to a dispute between the members who had gathered there, Superintendent of Police Devendra Nath said.

The meeting was held in a tent, where a large number of people gathered. Administration and police officials were also present there. MLA Surendra Singh confirmed that the accused heads the BJP’s ex-servicemen’s unit in Ballia and said such an incident “can happen anywhere.”

“This is a casualty that can happen anywhere. In this incident, there was stone-pelting from both sides. The law will take its own course in the matter,” the BJP legislator said.

A police case has been registered against over a dozen people on a complaint by the victim’s brother.

“Taking serious note of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed that SDM, CO and police personnel present on the spot should be suspended immediately and strictest action should be taken against the accused,” Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi said.

“The role of the officers shall be investigated,” he said.

Additional police force has been deployed in the village, police said.