Two men shot dead by three army jawans, seven others wounded

Ballia, Mar 16 (UNI) A man and his cousin brother were shot dead and seven others, including five women, wounded by three army jawans and others in the Sikandarpur area of this district.

Police Superintendent Prakash D said here today that Lallan Mishra, Lal Mohar Mishra and Mukesh Mishra -- all three army jawans, presently on leave in their village Mishraulia here -- along with their relatives Gupteshwar and Manohar Mishra, shot dead Ashok Upadhyaya (35) and Abhay Upadhyaya (45) over a petty dispute pertaining to Holi celebrations last evening.

As many as seven other people including five women were injured in the firing. The injured included Pratap Narayan, Arjun, Rubi, Baby, Pallo, Prabha Devi and Priti. Out of these, Pratap Narayan and Pallo have been admitted in critical state at the district hospital, while the remaining were being treated at the Community Health Centre, Mr Prakash added.

A case has been registered and Lallan, Manohar and Gupteshwar have been arrested alongwith one rifle, a double barrel gun, a countrymade revolver.

While Lallan is posted in Arunachal Pradesh, Lal Mohar and Mukesh were posted with their regiments in Ambala and Faridkot in Punjab, he added.

PAC personnel have been deployed in strength in the area, Mr Prakash said.

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