Months after the murder of Hindu leader Kamlesh Tiwari, another Hindu leader and Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha president Ranjit Bachchan was shot dead on Sunday by unknown gunmen in Lucknow. Six teams of Uttar Pradesh Police and the Crime Branch have launched an investigation into the matter.
The incident took place at the Globe Park in the Hazratganj area of the capital, police said. Bachchan was shot in the head multiple times by bike-borne assailants while he was on a morning walk inside the park near the CDRI building. The attackers fled promptly from the spot after firing on Bachchan and his brother. His brother too sustained injuries and was treated at a hospital. Before being associated with the Mahasabha, Ranjit Bachchan was a Samajwadi Party member and was often spotted with former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Dinesh Singh, DCP Central Lucknow, said, “The body has been identified as of Ranjit Bachchan, who had gone out on morning walk when some unknown assailant shot him. A police team has been formed and further investigation is being carried out.” Bachchan was a resident of Gorakhpur. The early morning shootout has caused tension in the Hazratganj area.
Similarly, as per the media reports, Hindu Samaj Party president and former Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari had been brutally killed by unidentified assailants at his Lucknow residence in October last year. According to a TOI report, the 45-year old was murdered inside his house in the Khurshidbagh area of Naka Hindola of the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. The incident had taken place when the police constables deployed for his security were not on duty, while another constable was asleep. According to the police, two persons had barged into Tiwari’s residence and first slit his throat, and then stabbed him several times in his chest before escaping from the spot of crime. The assailants had entered the house on the pretext of giving gifts to the leader for his service to society.
The Kamlesh Tiwari murder had surprised the nation, however, some miscreants had visibly cheered over the incident encouraging extremist elements in the society. This time too another Hindu leader, Ranjit Bachchan has been shot dead. This confirms that the Hindu leaders, especially in UP, are the prime targets of extremist elements. Police must ensure the safety of the Hindu leaders and their families. Police must also promptly unearth the accused in this case, as their tactics reveal organised planning.