Two killed in firing by troopers in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - Heated arguments between villagers and personnel of a paramilitary force took an ugly turn in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur district Monday when the troopers opened fire leaving two dead and two injured, police said.

Heavy security has been deployed in the Trikolia village, where local residents and troopers of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) clashed over a minor dispute related to overtaking of a vehicle.

“The situation is tense, but under control now. A high-level enquiry has been ordered into the incident by the district administration and the police authorities,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar told reporters in Lakhimpur, some 200 km from Lucknow.

“It all started when some troopers in a vehicle tried to overtake a Bolero jeep carrying some villagers. As the SSB vehicle could not overtake the Bolero, the troopers continued to follow the Bolero till it stopped in the Trikolia village,” he said.

“After getting down from their vehicles, villagers and troopers had a verbal duel that snow balled into a clash during which the troopers opened fire, killing two,” he added.

Police are yet to register a case against the troopers in connection with the firing incident.

“The enquiry is underway and we would take legal action accordingly against the troopers only after the completion of the inquiry,” said Kumar.