A tragic incident of election-related violence has shaken a village in Mathura district, resulting in the death of a young man and injuries to his brother. The clash, rooted in a long-standing political rivalry between two families, erupted on Sunday evening.
Chronology of a Village Feud Turns Deadly
The violence took place in Nandla Neta village under the Jait police station area. The homes of the sitting village head, Yogesh Singh, and his political rival, Udai Veer Singh, stand directly opposite each other, a physical symbol of the deep divide. Police officials stated that tensions had been escalating between the two groups due to a series of confrontations ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
The situation had already turned violent earlier. The deceased, 25-year-old Radhakishan, son of Udai Veer Singh, was assaulted on Friday at the Raal crossing but managed to escape serious harm. Following this, he formally lodged a complaint at the Jait police station on Sunday itself, alleging threats from the village head's camp. Police confirm that this complaint further intensified the hostilities.
The Fatal Attack and Aftermath
According to officials, the crisis peaked around 6:30 PM on Sunday. Armed assailants, allegedly associated with the village pradhan's side, attacked Udai Veer Singh's house. Family members were first beaten with sticks before the attackers opened fire.
Radhakishan suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. His younger brother, 23-year-old Anil, was shot in the hand. Both brothers were rushed to the district hospital, where Radhakishan succumbed to his injuries. Anil is currently undergoing treatment and is reported to be out of danger.
Police Action and Allegations of Inaction
In response to the violence, SP City Rajeev Kumar Singh ordered the deployment of additional police personnel to the area to prevent any further escalation. The police have taken four people from the pradhan's side into custody for questioning.
An FIR has been registered against village head Yogesh Singh, his brother Naresh, nephews Amit and Dinesh, and others under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The victim's father, Udai Veer Singh, has made serious allegations against the police. He claimed that earlier complaints, including one about an assault during Raksha Bandhan, were not acted upon due to "political pressure." "Had the police acted impartially after our earlier complaints, my son's life could have been saved," he stated.
Family members trace the enmity back to the previous pradhan election when Udai Veer Singh's family supported a rival candidate. With the panchayat polls approaching, this simmering hostility resurfaced and culminated in the deadly attack.
