Triple Murder in Pilibhit's Amaria Sparks Highway Blockade
A violent dispute over Ramlila Mela funds leads to a triple murder in Pilibhit, causing massive highway protests and high tension.
A violent dispute over committee funds has turned into a bloodbath in Pilibhit's Amaria town, leaving three people dead and bringing the Haridwar highway to a complete standstill. The triple murder has ignited massive public unrest, with grieving protesters demanding extreme retribution against the accused.
The Deadly Dispute Over Ramlila Mela Funds
The tragedy traces back to a long-standing financial conflict within the Ramlila Mela Committee. For the past four years, a group led by Kaushal Gupta has been demanding a detailed accounting of the committee's funds. This tension stood in direct opposition to the current committee president, Chandraprakash Gupta.
Despite an attempt at mediation by a local representative last year, the simmering resentment boiled over on Monday night. Near the City Gate, the situation turned lethal when the faction led by Kaushal Gupta allegedly opened fire, turning a financial disagreement into a massacre.
Three Lives Lost in the Attack
The gunfire resulted in the immediate death of two individuals: Ankit Gupta and a 15-year-old bystander, Kunal Srivastava. The third victim, Mohit Gupta, succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to Bareilly for medical treatment.
A fourth individual, a youth whose identity has not yet been released, remains in serious condition following the attack. The loss of a young bystander has added to the community's outrage and grief.
Highway Blockade and Public Outrage
Following the killings, the town erupted in protest. Angry mobs and grieving families gathered near the police station turnoff, effectively choking the Haridwar highway. For approximately 15 minutes, traffic was completely halted as protesters surrounded passing vehicles, demanding immediate and severe justice.
The atmosphere was highly volatile, with demonstrators making specific and intense demands, including:
- The accused being killed in a police encounter.
- The demolition of the perpetrators' properties via bulldozers.
Police Intervention and Current Situation
The escalating tension led to a direct confrontation between the protesters and the local Station House Officer (SHO), Amit Singh. The standoff only began to subside when Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Himanshu Gaurav arrived at the scene to intervene.
ASP Gaurav managed to disperse the crowd by providing formal assurances that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for the killings. Currently, the town remains under heavy police surveillance, with district officials conducting ongoing inspections to prevent further violence and maintain order in the high-tension zone.