Ex-Village Head Lynched in Uttar Pradesh Over Old Election Rivalry Sparks Local Protests

A former village head, Jai Singh, was lynched in Uttar Pradesh over a longstanding election rivalry. His family and locals protested at the police station, demanding justice and the arrest of the accused.

Tension escalated in Vijaypur Devpur, Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, after a 70-year-old former village head was publicly beaten to death. The incident, allegedly due to an old panchayat election rivalry, led to protests. Locals and family members kept the body at Aliganj police station for over two hours, demanding immediate arrests. Jai Singh, the victim, had served as gram pradhan in 1990, 2000, and 2016.

Police Investigation and Allegations

Police reported that Singh was attacked with bricks and sticks by supporters of the current village head, Amit Fauji. The attack occurred while Singh was returning home on a motorcycle. Preliminary investigations suggest the assault stemmed from a dispute over soil being removed from a plot owned by Singh's son-in-law, Netrapal Fauji. The argument intensified, leading to Singh being surrounded and beaten to death.

Community Reaction and Official Response

Following the incident, villagers staged a sit-in at the police station. This prompted senior officials like SDM Jagmohan Gupta, Circle Officer Nitesh Garg, and MLA Satyapal Singh Rathore to intervene and calm the situation. The victim's son, Sarvesh, accused Amit, Shyam Singh, and Premsingh of orchestrating the attack. Police noted that both groups had a history of rivalry dating back to the 2021 panchayat elections.

Legal Actions and Historical Context

The elections in 2021 were marked by violence and stone-pelting between these factions. An FIR has been filed based on the family's complaint. Multiple police teams are now working to locate and arrest those accused of the crime. Garg confirmed that efforts are underway to bring justice swiftly.

Jai Singh was taken to Aliganj Community Health Centre after the attack but was declared dead by doctors. The tragic event has left the community in shock and mourning. Authorities are under pressure to resolve the case quickly due to its sensitive nature and past tensions between the groups involved.

With inputs from PTI