Ranchi BJP vice-president shot dead

Ranchi, Nov 22 (UNI) A senior BJP leader was shot dead last night by unidentified miscreants here.

Police today said BJP vice-president of Ranchi Mahanagar Omprakash Upadhyay was gunned down by motorcycle-born assailants at Topodana police outpost area near here.

The murdered BJP leader originally belonged to Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Upadhyay was returning home from the party office at Hatia with neighbour Manmohan Mishra on his motorcycle.

As they were travelling, the miscreants followed them and pumped bullets into Mr Upadhyay's body.

He was immediately rushed to a local hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Police is yet to ascertain motive of the crime and has launched a search operation in the area.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Munda and other senior party leaders condoled the bereaved family.

Mr Munda said the spurt in killings had exposed the state government's failure to ensure security to citizens.

A few months back a BJP leader was gunned down at Kokar industrial area under Sadar police station in the state capital.

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