
Aligarh, 13 April (HS): A gang of
four armed men burst into a residence where a’mundan’ (tonsuring) ritual was
taking place and opened fire, killing one of the guests on the scene, police
said on Sunday. Police identified the dead as Muraari Lal Valmiki, a
40-year-old close relative of the host. He had arrived to attend a celebration
with his wife and children.
According to eyewitnesses, Muraari Lal was waiting at the house’s threshold
when attackers arrived on Saturday night. The assailants yelled insults at him
before shooting numerous rounds and fleeing on motorbikes, leaving the stunned
visitors reeling. Following the incident, an irate mob assembled at the
Bannadevi police station and staged a dharna demanding the suspects’ immediate
arrest.
Some people who were around the
victim at the time of the shooting claimed to have identified the perpetrators.
The victim’s wife filed a FIR in which she accused Himanshu Lodhi and many
others as the perpetrators of the attack.
Circle Officer (CO) Rajiv Diwedi informed the media on Sunday that a special
police squad has been created, and a large search operation has begun to catch
the criminals.
He also stated that certain relatives of the suspected perpetrators have been
detained and questioned as part of the continuing investigation.
Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi