A 40-year-old man was brutally shot dead by unidentified assailants in Azamgarh district on Saturday night, in an incident that police believe is linked to a long-standing land dispute. The murder has sent shockwaves through the local community and prompted a swift police response.
The Fatal Night: A Cold-Blooded Attack
The victim, identified as Rajnish alias Raju (40), a resident of Mara Karmnath Patti village under Raunapar police station, was on his way to the district headquarters on his motorbike. As he passed over a culvert near the Junedganj bypass under the Kotwali police station limits, motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire at him. One bullet struck Rajnish in his right shoulder, causing him to fall onto the road.
Local residents, hearing the gunshots, rushed to the scene and immediately took the injured man to the district hospital. Despite receiving medical treatment, Rajnish succumbed to his injuries. The assailants fled the spot immediately after the attack, leaving behind a terrified locality.
Land Dispute Emerges as Prime Motive
Preliminary investigations by the Azamgarh police strongly point towards a land dispute as the reason behind the murder. This suspicion was reinforced by the statements of the victim's family. Rajnish's wife, Ranjana Pandey, who is employed at the district women's hospital and was present at the crime scene, told officials that her husband had recently been threatened by some individuals over a property-related conflict.
Senior police officers, including SP Anil Kumar and CO City Shubham Todi, reached the location to oversee the investigation. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death and gather forensic evidence.
Police Launch Manhunt for Assailants
On Sunday, Azamgarh Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar addressed the media, confirming that special teams have been formed to track down and arrest the killers. "We are working on several leads, and the land dispute angle is being thoroughly investigated. Our teams are engaged for the early arrest of the murderers," the SP stated. The police are scanning CCTV footage from the area and questioning potential witnesses to piece together the sequence of events and identify the culprits.
The murder highlights the often-violent nature of property disputes in the region and raises concerns about law and order. The local community is demanding swift justice, while the police have assured that no effort will be spared in solving the case.
