Violence in UP after ex-MLA killing

Unidentified gunmen on Friday shot dead former BSP legislator Sarvesh Singh and his security guard in Azamgarh district, about 275 kilometres from here.

The incident triggered violence as the ex-MLA’s supporters torched vehicles and pelted stones. Police fired at the rioters to control the situation, in which two died and over two dozen, including senior district officials, were injured.

According to police, three assailants on motorbikes fired at Singh as he stood before his house at Jiyanpur area, killing him and his security guard on the spot. Soon as the news broke out, a large number of Singh’s supporters took to the streets and went on a rampage.

They surrounded the local police station, alleging that the police did not arrive on time.

As the situation went out of control, police opened fire at the violent mob killing at least two persons and wounding several others. A scribe, who was there to cover the incident, was also reportedly hit.

Supporters of the MLA had refused to handover the body to the police for post-mortem examination. Senior police officials had reached the spot to monitor the situation, described as tense but under control.

Singh had won the Sagari Assembly constituency on Samajwadi Party ticket in the 2007 polls. He switched loyalty in 2012 to BSP but had lost.

The ex-MLA’s brother said the government did not respond to his request for security and demanded CBI enquiry into the murder. The Special Task Force (STF) of the state police would probe the murder, which is suspected to be a mafia job.

Condemning the murder, BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya said that the “gunda raj” prevails in the state. He demanded resignation of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on account of the government’s failure to ensure security. “Even public representatives are not safe in this regime,” he said.

Akhilesh called the killing ‘unfortunate and promised that the killers will be brought justice soon.