Bystander killed in clash at Pratapgarh village,1 arrested

Three FIRs — one related to the murder and the other two related to cross-complaints by the two quarreling groups — have been registered at Jethwara police station. More arrests are likely.

According to the police,two persons,Sher Bahadur Singh and Laxmi Devi,of Ashapur village under Jethwara police station were locked in a dispute over eight biswas of land in the village.

Around 11 am on Sunday,Sher Bahadur,accompanied by dozens of labourers and supporters,tried to take possession of the disputed land. When Laxmi Devi and her family members objected,the other group tried to chase them away.

Amid the melee,however,a shot was fired and one Shamsuzama,who was into fish-farming and a resident of same village,was hit. He was taken to the district hospital where he was declared brought dead.

An angry mob then attacked Sher Bahadur’s men. At least three motorcycles were burnt and two others were damaged by the mob,which also pelted the house with stones,the police said.

In the meantime,a police force,led by senior police officials,arrived at the spot and dispersed the mob. PAC was also deployed.

“Shamsuzama’s death made many people in the village believe that it was some issue between two religious communities. Tensions ran high,” said Additional Superintendent of Police (Pratapgarh),Bisarjan Singh.

“However,investigations revealed that Shamsuzama’s village-mate Ashiq Ali,who had enmity with the victim,had shot him dead taking advantage of the clash between the two groups. Shamsuzama had reached the spot after hearing the commotion between the two groups,” said Singh. Ashiq was arrested today.

“Around 17 persons have been named in the other two FIRs. They will be arrested soon,” said Singh.