A brutal daylight murder of a 20-year-old youth in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district triggered massive public outrage on Thursday, leading to road blockades and demands for immediate, stringent action against the perpetrators.
Broad Daylight Attack Near Kasya Market
The victim, identified as Nishant Singh (20), son of Santosh Singh from Amarpur village, was stabbed to death near Judwania village on December 31. The incident occurred around 1 PM while Nishant was on his way to Kasya market to purchase household items.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the victim's father, Nishant was intercepted by two men: Naushad (23), son of Anwar Ali, and Faisal (21), son of Murtuja. Both accused are residents of Judwania village. The duo allegedly attacked Nishant with knives, inflicting multiple fatal blows to his neck, chest, and abdomen.
A friend who was accompanying Nishant was also assaulted when he tried to intervene. After the attack, the assailants fled the scene. Locals rushed the critically injured Nishant to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Social Media Post Sparked Fatal Dispute
Kushinagar SP Keshav Kumar stated that a preliminary investigation revealed the murder stemmed from a dispute over a social media post. The conflict involved Nishant's close friend, who was in a relationship with the 19-year-old sister of one of the accused, Naushad.
The dispute escalated over a photograph of Naushad's sister with Nishant's friend. On the fateful day, Naushad and Faisal, allegedly incited by friends, went to handle the issue. They confronted the group in Kasya market, where Naushad was carrying a knife.
"Nishant's friends, who came to tackle the dispute over the photo, soon fled after Naushad picked up the knife. Finding Nishant alone, Naushad stabbed him multiple times and fled," the SP told reporters.
Public Outrage and Swift Police Action
Enraged by the brazen killing, villagers from the area blocked roads, demanding strict action against the accused. Their demands reportedly included calls for an encounter and bulldozer action.
Following the written complaint by Santosh Singh at the Kasya police station, a murder case was promptly registered. Senior police officers confirmed that swift action was initiated immediately.
Naushad was arrested first, followed by the arrest of his accomplice, Faisal. Both have been charged in connection with the murder. The police action has, for now, partially placated the agitated public, but the incident has highlighted tensions in the region.
