Tension in Bhopal after VHP leader's murder

Heavy security was deployed in Bhopal's Bhanpur area with police fearing an outbreak of trouble when the body of Deen Dayal Sharma, who was also the priest of the temple as well as a member of the Bajrang Dal, is handed over to the family after the autopsy.

Sharma, 35, was killed late Wednesday inside the temple when a group of armed men attacked him.

"More than half a dozen assailants armed with swords and lathis barged into the temple and attacked Deen Dayal Sharma, who received fatal wounds and succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital," Inspector General (Bhopal range) Shailendra Shrivastava said. 

Sharma had gone for his prayers when he was attacked. "Hearing the screams, passers-by rushed and found Sharma lying in a pool of blood. Two others were also lying there, severely injured.

"They were rushed to the hospital where Sharma was declared brought dead. The condition of the other two who are undergoing treatment at a local hospital is critical," an official added.

The news of the murder spread like the proverbial wildfire and hundreds of people gathered at the spot demanding the immediate arrest of the killers. They sat in demonstration the entire night despite assurances that the culprits would not be spared. 

The body has been sent for an autopsy. Tempers soared after reports that some youths from the Irani Dera (a place where Iranians have been living for years) could be involved in the attack, a police official said.

"Heavy police force has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward law and order situation as hundreds of activists of saffron organisations have assembled at the place and outside the hospital the whole night," Additional Superintendent of Police Ruchi Srivastava said after visiting the area.
Police suspect that the murder could the fallout of a land dispute.