People are seen panicking and running frantically in the 5 second video.
Ballia (TOP):
A man was shot and killed in front of local officials today in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia over a dispute, police said, after which Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the suspension of officials present.
Jaiprakash, 46, was allegedly shot dead by Dhirendra Singh, a BJP worker who is said to be close to the MLA Surendra Singh party. A stampede followed after the shooting that was captured on video.
Dramatic images, shared by the ANI news agency, show a large number of people in a field as three rounds are fired. People are seen panicking and running frantically in the 5-second video.
The victim was allegedly shot at a meeting in the village of Durjanpur after an official canceled a meeting on the allocation of ration shops due to a dispute between members who had gathered there, SP Devendra Nath told the agency of PTI news.
The meeting was held in a tent, where a large number of people gathered. Administration officials and police were also present there, local residents told PTI.
BJP MLA Surendra Singh (left in yellow) with defendant Dhirendra Singh
MLA Surendra Singh confirmed that the defendant heads the BJP ex-military unit in Ballia and said such an incident “can happen anywhere”.
“This is a casualty that can occur anywhere. In this incident there were stonings from both sides. The law will follow its own course on the matter,” said the BJP lawmaker.
A police case has been registered against 15-20 people due to a complaint from the victim’s brother. No arrests have yet been made.
Yogi Adityanath ordered the suspension of the subdivisional magistrate, a senior police officer and others shortly after.
“Taking serious note of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered that the SDM, the CO and the police personnel present at the scene be immediately suspended and that the strictest measures be taken against the accused,” said the secretary Inland additional principal, Awanish Kumar Awasthi in Lucknow.
“The role of the agents will be investigated and whether a responsible criminal action will be taken,” he said.
A sizeable police force has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order, police said.
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