Nagpur's Gittikhadan Area Remains Tense Following Fatal Attack on Right-Wing Activist
The Gittikhadan locality in Nagpur experienced heightened tension from late Thursday through Friday noon following the brutal murder of a Kamgar Nagar resident, widely identified as a right-wing activist. The atmosphere remained on edge as police worked to contain the situation and investigate the motives behind the killing.
Police Attribute Incident to Personal Dispute Amidst Communal Tensions
According to police officials, the murder appears to have stemmed from a personal dispute, though it occurred against a backdrop of protracted communal tensions in the area. Sources indicate that names of some assailants had previously surfaced during the March 17 riots last year, adding complexity to the investigation.
Hindutva Outfits Threaten Protests Demanding Immediate Arrests
Following the murder, Hindutva organizations threatened to disrupt traffic and bring the victim's body to Gittikhadan police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused individuals who are currently evading authorities. This response has heightened concerns about potential escalation in the already volatile neighborhood.
Detailed Account of the Fatal Attack
The murder occurred between 11pm and 11:30pm on Thursday near Police Line Takli, reigniting fears of retaliatory violence in an area that had recently witnessed poll-related clashes. According to police reports, 38-year-old Harsh alias Guddu Pandey, a resident of Kamgar Nagar, was with his friend Milan alias Bunty Wankhede, 36, from Prashant Nagar near the CID Office in Mankapur.
While Pandey stepped aside to take a phone call, the accused Bunty alias Burhan Sheikh (also known as Bunty Panthelewala), a pan kiosk owner from Awasthi Nagar Chowk, arrived in a car with accomplices. Eyewitnesses reported that the group launched a ferocious attack on Pandey with sharp weapons, specifically targeting his head with lethal intent before fleeing the scene.
Pandey was rushed to Mayo Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. Gittikhadan police have registered a case of murder and common intention under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, based on a complaint filed by Milan Wankhede. Authorities are currently questioning witnesses and analyzing CCTV footage from the area.
Background: Money Dispute Escalates to Fatal Confrontation
Investigative sources reveal that the incident traces back to a financial dispute involving Pandey's brother, Sandeep. According to these sources, Sandeep borrowed Rs 10,000 from Rahul Vairagade but failed to repay the amount, leading to threats and arguments between the parties.
Tensions escalated when Sandeep visited Rahul Vairagade's residence in Prashant Nagar, Mankapur, where he allegedly fought with Vairagade and targeted his family members, particularly his mother. The mother subsequently rushed to Mankapur police station to lodge a formal complaint.
Bunty alias Burhan Sheikh was present during this confrontation and engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Sandeep. Soon after, Bunty and his friends chased Sandeep and his two companions as they attempted to leave the area. During this pursuit, the group spotted Sandeep's brother, Harsh alias Guddu Pandey—a known Hindutva activist—near Police Line Takli and allegedly stabbed him to death.
Victim's Background and Police Response
Harsh Pandey reportedly had two pending cases against him prior to his death. Local residents have linked the murder to what they describe as an "old communal rivalry" that flared up during recent civic elections, suggesting deeper underlying tensions in the community.
In response to the murder and subsequent threats, police have deployed commandos and additional forces while intensifying patrolling in sensitive areas throughout Gittikhadan. Commandos have been stationed at both the residence of the accused and his accomplices, as well as the victim's residence, as a precautionary measure.
Authorities are actively working to identify all accomplices involved in the attack and establish whether the primary motive was personal enmity or if there were significant communal undertones to the incident. The investigation continues as police seek to prevent further violence in the troubled neighborhood.
