Former UP minister Nishad charged with murder, arrested

Lucknow, June 10 : The Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister Jamuna Nishad has been arrested here today on charges of the murder of a police constable during a violent clash involving his supporters in Maharajganj.

The incident took place on Saturday night, when angry supporters of the Minister ransacked the Kotwali police station in Maharajganj, demanding action against an SHO for "shielding" an accused in the alleged rape of a girl of the Nishad Dalit community.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Mayawati had sacked Nishad hours after he was charged with murder.

Nishad had been dropped following the submission of his resignation letter to Mayawati. The resignation letter was forwarded to Governor T V Rajeshwar for acceptance

She had summoned him to her official residence in Lucknow after he was booked and named in an FIR in connection with the killing of the constable.

The UP Government also announced financial assistance of Rs 24 lakh and a job for the family of Constable Krishnand Rai besides Rs five lakh in fixed deposit for each of his two daughters.

The FIR named Nishad and 50 unnamed supporters under section 302 (murder) and other relevant charges under IPC and Arms Act.

Mayawati had also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

It is not clear how the constable was shot. According to the police a beacon-fitted VIP car stopped by and someone from inside fired at them.

However, eyewitnesses claimed that a service weapon was snatched during the scuffle between the villagers and the police.

ANI