SP leader shot dead in Uttar Pardesh

LUCKNOW - A local Samajwadi Party (SP) leader was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district, police said Tuesday.

Shivbaran Yadav, 47, was shot dead late Monday while he was having a discussion with some locals in the Barnao village of Kanpur, some 80 km from Lucknow.

Yadav’s wife Chandrakali is the head of the Barnao village, police said.

“According to eyewitnesses, around three-four men, who had their faces covered, shot Yadav and escaped on their motorcycles,” police inspector A.N. Rai told reporters in Kanpur.

“Yadav, who suffered several bullet injuries, was rushed to a hospital by some locals. He was declared brought dead by the doctors,” he added.

Though the exact reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained, police believe it could be fallout of some political rivalry.

“On the complaint made by Yadav’s family, we have registered a case against two men. Both of them are absconding. Efforts are on to nab them,” Rai said.

The murder has sparked protests by a large number of SP activists, who carried out demonstrations in parts of Kanpur, demanding the arrest of those behind Yadav’s murder.