1 killed as convoys of Ulema leader,Azamgarh MP clash

Immediately after the incident,members of the Ulema Council and locals blocked roads in and around Azamgarh,restricting traffic movement even on highways. As a result,it took over three hours for Azamgarh SP Ramit Sharma to reach the spot.

Ulema Council spokesman Tahir Madni said the incident took place around 2.45 pm when Yadav’s fleet of four vehicles was passing by Barauli village. One of the SUVs hit two local youths riding a motorcycle. The two were escorting the fleet of Amir Rashadi who was on his way to attend a party meeting in the area.

Yadav’s men got down and scolded the youths for not driving properly. A small crowd of locals,which collected immediately,however,turned angry and started pelting the MP’s fleet with stones.

The MP’s men opened fire,injuring four youths,identified as Abdul Rehman,Zahid,Farhan and Imran. The MP and his men then sped away. Rehman died on the way to the hospital. Others were undergoing medical treatment at the district hospital.

Azamgarh DIG K K Tripathi said efforts were being made to arrest Yadav and the other accused.

Ramakant Yadav,who won the election from Azamgarh on a BJP ticket after defeating BSP’s Akbar Ahmad Dumpy by around 1 lakh votes,has more than 30 cases against him in Azamgarh,Jaunpur and Gorakhpur. The cases include those under the Goonda Act and the Gangsters Act.