Man goes on a stabbing spree after being mocked; 7 injured

GORAKHPUR: Seven people, including five children, were injured when a 48-year-old man attacked them with a knife just for mocking him on Sunday night, in Banki Singti village, under Bhulwani police station of Deoria, police said.

Prama Shankar, senior sub inspector (SSI), Bhulwani police station, said: “A case under IPC sections 323, 324 and 336 has been lodged against the assailant named Chchattu.”

Three of the children were in critical condition. They were admitted to Bhulani community health centre, from where they were referred to the district hospital, while the rest were discharged after first aid, police said. Ankur, 10, who suffered injuries in his arm, abdomen and on his chest was further referred to BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur and he remained in critical condition till last reports came in. The injured included two elderly women, who tried to save the children when the man attacked them.

The accused tried to flee after attacking the people, but was chased and caught by angry locals, who beat him up before calling police.

Circle officer Varun Mishra said: “The accused is said to be mentally unstable, but we will get examined to confirm this.”

He said the incident occurred when the accused, who sitting outside his house, was mocked by the children when they were playing nearby. Incensed over the children’s act, he first hurled abuses at them and then went into his house, came back with a knife, and attacked them with it.

Two women Kamlawati, 70, and Sonbarsi, 68, rushed to the kids’ help but were also stabbed by Chchattu before he was caught by locals.

Local residents said the accused is a liquor and drug addict and was jailed in connection with the murder of a woman two years’ ago. He was out on bail, they said and added that he often turned violent and quarreled with locals over petty issues.

Chchattu worked as collie at Hawrah station before moving back to the village some time ago, locals said.

SSI Prama Shankar confirmed that: “Chchattu was jailed in 2011 in connection with a woman’s murder but was out on bail.”