Accused's wife among 7 held for killing 5 of dalit family

Etawah, Mar 15 (UNI) Police today claimed to have arrested a gang of seven people, including the kingpin's wife, for the murder of five members of a Dalit family in Ekdil area here.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) S R S Aditya said after the emergence of Nadiya gang's involvement, the police last night conducted raids and nabbed seven accused including, gang kingpin's wife Pushpa alias Rinky.

However, the prime accused and kingpin of the syndicate Haum Singh was still at large, the SSP added.

The other arrested included Mohar Singh, Raju, Atar Singh and Aditya. Besides, two people were arrested for providing shelter to the culprits.

On interrogation, Pushpa revealed they had a spat with the victim family a couple of days back.

Yesterday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had visited the district, which also happens to be the home town of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and suspended the Ekdil police station in charge Gyan Prakash Singh.

During her 30-minutes stay, the CM had announced that the BSP would take responsibility of education and marriage of the victims' children.

The state government had already announced a financial assitance of Rs 1 lakh each to the bereaved family. Besides, Rs 20,000 ex-gratia would be given.

The BSP supremo had further directed the police to swoop upon the accused at the earliest and take stringent action against them.

On March 12, five members of a dalit family, including two women, were shot dead in Ekdil area of the district.

The gruesome incident had occurred at Ameenabad village, where some masked gunmen had barged into Vishram Singh's house and opened fire at the family.

Vishram (50), Rajni (45), Arjun Singh (35), Soni (35) and Tinku (18) had died on the spot.

Land dispute had emerged as the reason behind the crime, the police had said.

UNI XC-JAS SP AS1843