Two days after the shooting incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia where BJP worker Dhirendra Pratap Singh gunned down a local during a commotion over the allotment of ration shops, the BJP leader has now come out with a video claiming that he did not fire at anyone. Instead, the BJP member has accused the police and local administration of corruption and mismanagement.
BJP leader Dhirendra Pratap Singh is on the run ever since the firing incident resulted in the death of Jai Prakash (46) as a heated argument broke out over the allotment of ration shops at an event attended by the local police and administration.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Surendra Singh, who has openly supported Dhirendra Pratap and said that he had fired in self-defence, has now demanded an FIR be filed against those who attacked the accused BJP worker.
MLA Surendra Singh reached the Reoti police station at 9:30 am on Saturday, demanding a complaint be filed against the other group who according to him attacked Dhirendra Singh and his supporters at first. The BJP MLA also visited the district hospital to get medical examination done of the injured, including two who have been arrested.
While MLA Surendra Singh at first had said the incident was unfortunate and it was Dhirendra who had opened fire at the event, now the prime accused, who is on the run, has released a video saying he did not fire at anyone.
In the video, Dhirendra Pratap Singh has said, “I have not fired any bullet. A proper investigation should be carried out in this incident.” He has also gone on to add that he was attacked along with his family and he somehow managed to escape the assault and save his life.
“The ration shops where to be allotted on that day and many officials had come for the allotment process. I had met the SDM and the BDO regarding the tense situation. I had apprised them that the things were getting bad in the area,” said the accused BJP leader.
Dhirendra has further accused the SDM, BDO and other officials of corruption and also claimed that they were influencing the allotment process of ration shops.
He has also blamed the police and local administration for the firing incident.
Meanwhile, Dhirendra’s brother has been arrested along with a few others and local police have announced a reward for information on him.