Pratapgarh double murder: Kin, traders block highway for 21 hrs

ALLAHABAD : Agitated over the murder of Pratapgarh trader brothers on Wednesday night, a large number of people, including relatives and businessmen, blocked the Allahabad-Faizabad highway for around 21 hours by putting the bodies on the road.

They demanded compensation for kin of the deceased and better security for the trader community. A large number of women also joined the protest amidst the drizzle that continued throughout the night.

The blockade was lifted at around 5pm on Thursday after UP cabinet minister Rajendra Pratap Singh aka Moti Singh visited the aggrieved and promised ₹20 lakh compensation for the kin of both the traders, gun licence and arrest of the assailants within 36 hours.

Cement traders Shyam Sundar, 45, and Shyam Surat, 40, were at their shop at Kaudhaur Bazar in Pratapgarh when two motorcycle-borne killers opened fire at them around 8.15pm. The brothers were declared dead at the district hospital.

The protesters alleged that Shyam Sundar had received threats and was asked to pay protection money three months ago. They also claimed police took no action even though Shyam Sundar lodged a complaint with senior officials.

Even inspector general of police (Allahabad zone) Ramit Sharma, who along with MLA, Sadar, Sangam Lal Gupta reached the protest site at 1 am, could not pacify the protesters. They demanded that the chief minister be called at the site.

Attempts by MP Harivansh Singh, MLA Sanhgam Lal and district magistrate to pacify the protesters also proved futile.

Market in Pratapgarh remained closed on Thursday in protest against the double murder.

Later, the blockade was lifted after Rajendra Pratap Singh spoke to the protesters and assured action.

He instructed senior officials to take action against the in-charge of Kaudhaur police station and post all other policemen stationed there outside the range.

The family performed the last rites of the deceased traders later in the evening.