Clash during Holi revelry kills one in Allahabad, another in Varanasi

Varanasi police said the incident occurred in Saran Ka Talab locality under Sarnath police station area around 12.30 p.m.

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“Ram Murat, whose house was located behind the Laxmi Mandir in Saran ka Talab, was watching the Holi celebrations when a small group of youngsters came there and sought to play Holi with some female residents of the locality. When they objected, one of the youngsters held the hand of one of the women. The women informed their family members, which led to an argument between the two sides. Subsequently, the hooligans called a few more of their friends. Soon, it led to fisticuffs. Ram Murat, who tried to intervene and sort the matter, sustained serious blows in the incident and died,” said Circle Officer (Cantt), Vinod Kumar Singh.

Station Officer (Sarnath), Anil Kumar Singh, said: “Five persons — Rahul, Vishal, Vishnu, Solan and Nandlal — have been arrested. They are all in the age group of 20s.” Singh said more than a dozen others have been named in the FIR and further arrests would soon follow.

In Allahabad, the incident occurred opposite the office of former BSP minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ under Mutthiganj police station area.

The police said Prateek Chaurasia (21), son of betel store owner Sanjay Chaurasia, a resident of Lohia Pandey Ka Hata, had gone with a couple of his friends to celebrate Holi.

“They were outside the office of the former minister, when Prateek reportedly got involved in a mock fight with some other revelers over a colourful wig. Suddenly, there was a crude bomb explosion and he died on the spot. It is not clear as to who was in possession of the bomb. It is possible that the bomb went off accidentally as it fell down,” said Station Officer (Mutthiganj) Ashok Dubey.

An FIR has been registered against unidentified persons and efforts are on to ascertain the identity of the accused.