One dies, 4 hurt in clash over Holi celebrations

PILIBHIT

: One person was killed and four were injured in a clash on Thursday over Holi celebrations at Kukari Khera village under Jahanabad police station. Police have lodged a non cognizable report (NCR) against two villagers from one side and an FIR against four accused following a complaint filed by the deceased’s side.


According to one Guddu, he and his friends Jai Prakash, Subhash, Raj Rishi, Rahul and Bittu were going to celebrate Holi with other villagers when they were allegedly abused by Zakir Ali, Shaqir Ali,

Sabir Ali

and Zahida Bi. Angry at being abused, they assaulted the latter with sticks and sharp-edged weapons. Jai Prakash (45) was hit on his head. He was shifted to Jahanabad primary health centre but was referred to

Bareilly

, where he died on Friday. The FIR would now be converted into IPC section 302 (murder), said Yogendra Kumar, CO of Jahanabad circle.

In his complaint, Sabir said he was sitting outside his shop when Guddu and Subhash, who were drunk, abused him. An NCR was lodged against Guddu and Subhash. The duo asked Sabir why he was not playing Holi. On showing his helplessness due to his fractured arm, they assaulted him. His mother, Zahida, and brothers who rushed to rescue him was also beaten by the two accused, Sabir claimed.

CO Kumar told TOI that Sabir and his brother Shaqir Ali had been arrested while the other two were on the run. District magistrate Vaibhav Shrivastav said the police would keep tight

vigil

at village and ensure no untoward incident takes place.