A local BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia shot a man during a heated argument over allotment of ration shops in the village. The shooting took place at an event in Ballia, in which the local police, sub-divisional magistrate and the circle officer were present. A total of six people have been arrested in the case while around 20 have been listed in the police complaint.
The incident took place in Ballia on Thursday and as news spread, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered suspension of the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), circle officer and all other policemen present at the spot in Durjanpur village in Ballia’s Reoti area.
Top 10 developments in Ballia shooting:
1. Jay Prakash Pal, a 46-year-old man in Ballia, was gunned down after a meeting called at the Panchayat Bhawan for selection of ration shops was cancelled by the sub-divisional magistrate due to a dispute between members of self-help groups who had gathered there.
2. Local BJP leader Dhirendra Pratap Singh opened fire after the SDM decided to not go ahead with the meeting. Bairia MLA Surendra Singh confirmed that Singh heads the BJP’s ex-servicemen’s unit in Ballia district.
3. A total of 6 people have been arrested in connection with the Ballia shooting incident. The arrested persons include the brother of the main accused and has been identified as Devendra Pratap Singh. Police have named 8 people in the FIR while another 15-20 unnamed people have also been listed in the complaint.
#WATCH One person dead after bullets were fired during a meeting called for allotment of shops under govt quota, in Ballia.
Devendra Nath, SP Ballia, says, “The incident took place after a clash erupted between two groups during the meeting. Probe on.” (Note-abusive language) pic.twitter.com/sLwRgkr9s4
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 15, 2020
4. Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Circle Officer (CO) and the station officer along with other policemen present at the time of the incident have been suspended. SDM Baria Suresh Pal, CO Baria Chandrakesh Singh, BDO Baria Gajendra Pratap Singh as well as the police force of Revati police station were present at the spot. Instructions have also been given for criminal action to prove the role of officers in the incident. Action also has been initiated against the accused BJP leader in the case.
5. While admitting that the accused is a member of the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh, MLA Surendra Singh also said, “This is a casualty that can happen anywhere. In this incident, there was stone-pelting from both sides. The law will take its own course in the matter.”
6. The meeting was held in a tent, where a large number of people gathered. Officials of the local administration and police were also present there at the time of the shooting. A video clip doing the rounds on social media show a group of people running around in a field in panic as shots are fired.
7. Superintendent of Police, Ballia, Devendra Nath said, “As per initial investigation, it has been found that Dhirendra Pratap Singh had shot at a person, Jay Prakash Pal. Searches and raids are being conducted at multiple locations and efforts are on to arrest the accused at the earliest.”
8. During the meeting on Thursday, consensus could not be reached for the Durjanpur ration quota shop. It was decided that the issue would be resolved through voting between the two groups Maa Sai Jagdamba Self Help Group and Shiv Shakti Self Help Group. But a dispute broke out over the required identity cards of the two parties.
9. One side started shouting slogans, accusing the officials of favouritism. Meanwhile, the people of the other party clashed with the other. Soon, bricks and stones were hurled at each other. Within minutes firing started at the spot and Jaiprakash alias Gama Pal was shot four times.
10. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi party and the Congress have attacked the ruling BJP over the Ballia shooting incident and called the incident an example of “breakdown” of law and order in the state.
(With inputs from PTI)