Chaos in Dehradun following the murder of a BJP leader: Police and media pelted with stones, three houses and a tractor burned; the main accused's house demolished.
Dehradun. The murder of BJP leader Vinod Kumar in Bairagiwala village, Dehradun, sparked widespread unrest on Sunday. Angry residents set fire to the homes of the accused, torched tractors, and pelted stones at police and media personnel. As the situation worsened, ITBP, PAC, and a heavy police force were deployed in the village. The administration demolished the main accused's house with a bulldozer.
Villagers and family members blocked the Dehradun-Herbertpur highway for about five and a half hours in protest of Vinod Kumar's murder. The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved in the murder and strict action against the main accused. The highway was reopened after assurances from the administration.
According to police, a dispute arose between two parties in Bairagiwala village, under the Sahaspur police station area, over irrigation water and monetary transactions. Vinod Kumar was attacked during the incident, suffering serious head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Three other family members were also injured in the incident.
Vinod Kumar was the district media in-charge of the BJP OBC Morcha and an RTI activist. His family alleges that he had previously received threats. Police have registered a case against 12 named and more than 30 unidentified individuals. Four accused have been arrested so far, while the search for others is ongoing.
Tensions rose in the village after news of the murder spread. A mob set fire to the homes of the accused, forcing police to use force to control the situation. Authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and assured strict action against the culprits.
