Bajrang Dal functionary named as main accused in Bulandshahr killings

In the aftermath of the clashes that broke in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr area between the officials and protestors over alleged illegal slaughter of cattle on Monday that claimed the lives of a police inspector and a youth, two FIRs have been filed against 27 people in the case. The violence claimed the lives of police inspector Subodh Singh and a 20-year-old civilian youth in Bulandshahr. 

Four arrests have been made till now for the murder of inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and five others have been detained by the Uttar Pradesh police. However, primary accused Yogesh Raj who is a local functionary of the Bajrang Dal and has been named in the FIR, is still on the run. 

While addressing a media briefing on the violence in Bulandshahr, Anand Kumar Srivastava, Additional Director General (Law and Order) stated that the police are on the lookout for the main accused, Yogesh Raj.

"Yogesh is on run. Yogesh Raj, local functionary of the Bajrang Dal, is the culprit and we are trying to nab him. Slain cop Subodh Kumar was first attacked by a blunt object and then someone fired at him. He(Subodh Kumar) was in Akhlaq case but he has been transferred from there," he said, referring to the investigation into the 2015 lynching and killing.

However, Surendra Jain, national spokesperson of Bajrang Dal denied the involvement of its functionary in the killings and later went onto claim that the incident took place due to the anger of the people.

"This is the reaction of the entire Hindu community. It happened because of the failure of the government in preventing the slaughter of cows. The government may make the laws but they are not being implemented and these things will continue to happen. If the government does not do anything to prevent cow slaughter, then people will continue to protest against it. I am not justifying the violence, but if the government does not take the necessary action then the public will react in such a manner," he said, while speaking to Republic TV.

READ: Bulandshahr On Edge, FIRs Filed After Policeman, Civilian Killed By Violent Mob: LIVE UPDATES

Meanwhile, the accused persons have been booked under the Indian Penal Code sections 147, 148, 149 (related to rioting), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 302 (murder), 307 (murder attempt), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), among others. 

On Monday, violence had broken out after villagers found alleged remains of a cow and its progeny in a jungle in Mahaw village, the ADG said.

"Angry villagers and members of various Hindu groups brought the animal remains in tractor-trolley to the Chingarwathi Police Chowki and demanded action against the culprits. They raised slogans against the police administration and blocked the Bulandshahr-Garh highway. They set a police post on fire and clashed with the police."

"A SIT has been formed to investigate why the violence happened and why the police personnel left Inspector Subodh Kumar alone at the location," Prashant Kumar, ADG Meerut Zone added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared a compensation of Rs 40 lakh for the wife, Rs 10 lakh for parents and a government job for a kin of Police Inspector Subodh Kumar who died in the violence.

​​​​​​READ:  Bulandshahr Unrest: Slain Cop Subodh Singh's Sister Alleges Conspiracy, Demands Inquiry Into Inspector's Death