Election rivalry -- Gangster on run kills nine in UP village

Election rivalry -- Gangster on run kills nine in UP village
M.V.R. RAO

MEERUT, MARCH 4: Village Saidpur in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh is paying with lives as a gangster on the run goes around settling scores with his enemies.

Fugitive Jatin Sirohi's men have killed nine people since Thursday and kidnapped Ishwari Singh, a panchayat member, and a four-year-old boy in election rivalry with village neighbours Madan Singh and brother Sensarpal Singh.

Police said Madan's wife is contesting the block pramukh elections against Jatin's candidate. On Thursday, armed to the teeth and accompanied by Babloo, another gangster, Jatin and his men drove to Madan Singh's house in Mohalla Chowk. They opened fire on the election gathering, killing five villagers. Madan ducked to escape but his mother Sukhbiri was killed while his son Akash, 4, was taken away. Twelve persons were injured.

On Friday, villagers found the bodies of four persons inside Jatin's house in the village. Among the dead were Sanjay, Subedar Kartar Singh and their driver Intzaar, who had been kidnapped a day ago while they were returning after canvassing. Villagers stormed the house and set it ablaze.

No arrests have been made. The SHO of B.B. Nagar police station has been suspended. Security has been tightened in the village, police said. Jatin escaped from Haryana police custody in July last year.

His rivalry with Madan Singh's family is well-known in the village. In the past, the gangster's brothers have been killed in the animosity.