VIOLENCE AFTER RSS WORKER SHOT DEAD IN GHAZIPUR

VARANASI: A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker, who was also associated with the ruling BJP and a Hindi daily, was shot dead in Ghazipur district on Saturday morning, triggering violence in the area.

Police said around 7 am three bike-borne miscreants pumped six bullets into Rajesh Mishra (35) at his shop at Bramhapura village. He died on the spot.

They said thirty-five-year-old Rajesh, who was also working with a leading Hindi daily, owned a shop dealing in building material.

Rajesh’s brother Amitesh Mishra, who was sitting with him, suffered serious bullet injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in nearby Varanasi.

His condition is stated to be critical. Police suspect personal enmity could be the cause behind the attack.

ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said two of the three assailants were identified and that they would be arrested soon.

Enraged over the killing, agitated locals soon hit the streets and vandalized four vehicles in Mishra Bazar area of Ghazipur. Police, however, soon brought the situation under control by pacifying the agitators, assuring them that the assailants will be arrested soon.

Police said prima facie personal enmity appeared to be the cause of the attack, but things would be clear after investigation. Superintendent of police Somen Verma said several teams had been deployed to crack the case.

Empty cartridges of 9 mm revolver were recovered from the spot, indicating that the assailants were professional criminals, police said.

Senior RSS leaders, UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, Ghazipur MP and union minister Manoj Sinha and others are expected to visit Ghazipur on Sunday.

TWO OF THE THREE ASSAILANTS WERE IDENTIFIED AND WOULD BE ARRESTED SOON, SAID POLICE