UP: Law & Order Situation Comes Under Question Again As BJP MLA's Aide Brazenly Shoots Man Dead In Front Of SDM & CO

The BJP leader allegedly shot dead a man as a fracas broke out at a meeting attended by administration and police officials over allotment of ration shops in a Ballia village.

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh’s law and order situation is once again at the centre of criticism after a video of a man being shot by Dhirendra Singh, a BJP worker said to be close to party MLA Surendra Singh in Ballia surfaced on Thursday. In a brazen breach of law, a middle-aged man was shot dead in front of local officials on Thursday in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia over a dispute, the police said, following which Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered suspension of officials present. The BJP leader allegedly shot dead a man as a fracas broke out at a meeting attended by administration and police officials over allotment of ration shops in a Ballia village. The man named Jai Prakash (46) was shot dead allegedly by Dhirendra Pratap Singh after the SDM decided not to go ahead with the meeting due to a dispute between members of self-help groups, Superintendent of Police Devendra Nath was quoted as saying. Video shared by news agency ANI shows bullets being fired:

#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

CM Yogi Suspends SDM, CO & Other officials, Taking quick action, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the 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, police said. Though arrests have been made in the case, the main accused Dablu Singh remains absconding. Opposition attacks government: Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party,  Samajwadi party and the Congress attacked the ruling BJP as they called the incident an example of "breakdown" of law and order in the state. "In Ballia, an incident has come to the fore in which in front of SDM and circle officer, a BJP leader after killing Jai Prakash Pal managed to flee," the Samajwadi Party said on Twitter. Taking to Twitter, BSP chief Mayawati tweeted: “ The incident of Ballia is very alarming and now it is that there is a breakdown of law and order in UP. If the government pays attention to this, it would be better. This is an advice from BSP.” The Uttar Pradesh administration has been facing flak over Hathras gangrape and murder case and over the forced cremation of the victim.