Heavy police deployment in UP after murder of Akhtar spark communal tension

Following the murder of Mohammad Akhtar, a 62-year-old man, a heavy deployment of police has been made in Morna village in UP.

Akhtar was allegedly hacked to death with a spade by Pradeep and Raju Tyagi. The two are brothers. Akhtar was approached by the brothers in an inebriated state as he was returning home through a forested stretch of the village. A heated argument followed, and Raju picked up a spade and struck Akhtar, killing him. The brothers fled, leaving behind a bleeding Akhtar.

The murder is a fallout of a political rivalry that has taken communal overtones, police said. Pradeep contested the panchayat polls. After failing to win, the family blamed Akhtar for his defeat.

'We have arrested Raju Tyagi and he is being questioned. Meanwhile, an FIR has been filed at the behest of Akhtar's family. It is purely a matter of political rivalry. Adequate police force has been deployed at the village to prevent any further untoward incident," Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhakar Chaudhary said.

After Akhtar succumbed to his injuries a day later, Akhtar's family and community narrowed in and attacked Raju, Pradeep and their brother Sandeep. Though Raju managed to flee, he was hit by a vehicle on the run and arrested. Though the police managed to pacify his family and held the burial amidst tight security, tension continues in the village.