LUCKNOW: The general perception is that politics thrives on caste and religion, but crime does not. But, a closer look at the list of those who fell victim to slain gangster brothers Atiq and Ashraf's alleged criminal deeds shows that a large chunk hailed from the minority community.
Of the 25 most heinous criminal cases that were registered against Atiq and Ashraf at least 14 of them had members of the minority community at the receiving end.
Atiq Ahmed became a Bahubali for the first time in 1989 after his name figured in the alleged murder of a local corporator Chand Baba. He went on to become an MLA as an independent from Allahabad (west).
Atiq's brother Ashraf was named as accused in abduction and rape of two minor girls from a madrassa. The duo was dumped outside the madrassa.
Another example is Zeeshan of Kasari Masari in Prayagraj whose land was captured by Atiq after demolishing a house. Such was the clout of Atiq that the police could not get the land back from the gangster.
Atiq's name had also figured in the murder of Ashfaq Kunnu a corporator in 1994. Later his name also cropped up when another corporator Nassan had a narrow escape as unidentified miscreant opened fire on him. Later in 2001, Nassan's bullet riddled body was found in Chakia area of Prayagraj and the family blamed Atiq for it.
The slain gangster's name also figured in BJP leader Ashraf's murder in 2003. Ashraf was Atiq's neighbour.
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