Double murder sparks violent protests in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - Hundreds of shopkeepers in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh Thursday took to the streets, targeted public vehicles and clashed with the police to protest the killing of a cloth merchant’s wife and minor daughter, officials said.

Demanding immediate arrest of the assailants, who are yet to be identified, the shopkeepers blockaded important routes, including Delhi-Moradabad highway, smashed window panes of public vehicles and also forced shops to shutter in parts of Moradabad.

They were protesting the murder of Gagan Janeja’s wife and eight-year-old daughter Thursday inside their residence in the K.N. Nagar area.

The shopkeepers also clashed with the police in the Kotwali area.

The situation was brought under control only after some senior police officials assured the shopkeepers the attackers would be nabbed soon.

“The situation is now under control. Adequate security has been deployed in parts of the city,” police inspector B.P. Singh told reporters in Moradabad, some 300 km from Lucknow.

Speaking of the murder, Singh said: “It appears the two were attacked by some sharp-edged weapons. Preliminary investigations indicate the crime was committed with an intention of loot.”

The double-murder was detected by Janeja’s neighbour who went inside the house after no one responded to the door bell, and found the two bodies lying in a corner.