Twin Murders Shatter Decades of Harmony in UP's Mixed-Population Village
In the quiet village of Umri in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad district, a community that has lived in harmony for over half a century now finds itself grappling with shock and disbelief. The discovery of two bodies buried near a riverbank has shattered the peaceful coexistence that defined this mixed-population settlement.
A Peaceful Village Torn Apart
Umri village, with its almost equal population of Saini community members and Muslims, had no history of communal tension until this week. The residences of Kajal Saini, 19, and Mohd Arman, 27, stand just a few hundred meters apart - a proximity that once symbolized the village's unity but now serves as a painful reminder of what has been lost.
"In 50 years, our two communities have never had a major fight," says a middle-aged man from the Saini community, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Daawat bhi hum saath me khaate hain... bahut bhaichara tha. Pata nahin gaon ko kiski nazar lag gayi (We would share our feasts... there was such brotherhood. God knows whose evil eye has brought us this day)."
The Tragic Discovery
On Wednesday, the bodies of Kajal and Arman were found buried next to the Gagan riverbank near Umri. Police investigations reveal a chilling sequence of events that began on Sunday night when Arman visited Kajal at her brothers' house.
According to police statements, the couple had been in a relationship for nearly two years, though villagers say they kept it well hidden. When one of Kajal's brothers reportedly spotted Arman with her, he alerted his siblings, leading to a violent confrontation that would end both young lives.
The Brutal Attack
Police have arrested Kajal's brothers - Rajaram, Satish, and Rinku Saini, all laborers by profession - for the double murder. The investigation reveals that the three brothers allegedly forced their way into Kajal's room and began beating the couple.
The violence escalated when one brother allegedly fetched a spade and struck Arman repeatedly, leaving him unconscious in a pool of blood. When Kajal tried to escape and raise an alarm, the brothers allegedly caught her and struck her with the same spade, killing her as well.
The aftermath was equally gruesome. The brothers allegedly stuffed both bodies into gunny bags, carried them to the riverbank, and buried them near a temple, attempting to conceal their horrific crime.
Families in Despair
The two-storey house where the attack occurred now stands desolate, a stark contrast to the vibrant community life that once characterized the village. Kajal, who had studied up to class 12 and taught children at a village school, was spending the night at her brothers' house when the tragedy unfolded.
Arman's story adds another layer of tragedy to the incident. His brother Farman Ali reveals that Arman had returned from Saudi Arabia just four months earlier, where he worked at a KFC outlet. He had recently started a furniture business in the village, following a common profession in the area.
"We came to know of the relationship between Kajal and Arman only recently," says Farman, who drives a taxi for a living. "The families had cordial relations and celebrated all festive occasions together. But when we could not find Arman on January 20, we feared the worst. We immediately filed a missing complaint... But I could have never imagined such an end."
Police Investigation and Community Fallout
SSP Moradabad Satpal Antil stated that police launched an inquiry when Arman's family contacted them on Tuesday, reporting him missing since Sunday night. Kajal's family had also lodged a missing person's report the same day, but with conflicting narratives.
While Arman's family alerted police about his relationship with Kajal, her family allegedly tried to "mislead" investigators by suggesting that Arman had abducted Kajal and planned to marry her after religious conversion.
Today, a sole policeman guards Arman's house, which accommodates a large joint family. The village that once exemplified communal harmony now finds itself at the center of a criminal investigation that has exposed deep-seated tensions beneath its peaceful surface.
The tragedy in Umri village serves as a painful reminder of how quickly decades of harmony can be shattered by violence, leaving a community to pick up the pieces of what was once described as "bahut bhaichara" - great brotherhood.
