After Raja, another SP leader accused of murder

Killing spree: Shooting sparks widespread violence in Tanda

The widow of a Hindu Yuva Vahini leader who was shot dead on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district, 200 km from here, has become the second spouse to blame an SP leader for the killing.

The shooting of Ram Babu Gupta, the district president of Vahini, at Tanda area in the district on Sunday triggered large scale violence in the communally sensitive area.
Following the worsening situation in the area of mixed population, curfew was imposed on Monday.

Accusing local SP leader in Tanda Azeemul Haq alias Pahelwan for Gupta's killing, his widow and other family members have demanded CBI enquiry into the murder and have threatened to go on fast if justice is denied to him.

The family alleged that Haq did not want any one to challenge his authority in the area and considered Gupta as his political rival.

“We have no faith in the state police...we want a CBI probe'', they said. In the ensuing violence, several vehicles, including those belonging to the police have been torched, while many have been injured.

BJP has called for a bandh in the district.  State unit president Luxmi Kant was held at Barabanki while attempting to visit the family of the deceased at Ambedkar Nagar.

The issue also rocked the state assembly when the BJP charged the SP government with not protecting the hindu community during Tanda violence. Parliamentary affairs minister Azam Khan said that shops and houses of muslims have also been burnt in the violence.

Police said 32 people have been taken into custody and the force has been strengthened in the area. Shoot at sight orders have been issued to prevent violence.