Pilibhit: Three people were killed and one person was injured after a dispute between two groups over the income and expenditure of a Ramlila fair turned violent in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday evening, and the prime accused has been arrested.
According to police, the clash broke out during a meeting held to review the previous year's financial accounts of the mela and discuss the formation of a new committee. Police said tensions escalated after an argument over the accounts, leading to firing during which three people lost their lives.
Circle Officer (Jahanabad) Natasha Goyal stated that three individuals died in the violence between the two groups, while one person sustained injuries. Two of the deceased, identified as 18-year-old Kunal Srivastava and 30-year-old Ankit Gupta, died on the spot. A third victim, 38-year-old Mohit Gupta, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bareilly. Ankit and Mohit were brothers.
Superintendent of Police Sukirti Madhav confirmed that the prime accused, Kaushal Gupta, has been arrested, even though authorities had not yet received a formal complaint from the families of the deceased.
Investigators noted that Ankit, an office-bearer of the previous year's mela committee, had convened the meeting on Monday night at the residence of one of the members. The agenda focused on reviewing the prior year's income and expenditure statements alongside discussions for setting up a new committee.
Authorities stated that Kaushal was seeking a position in the upcoming fair committee and created a disturbance by questioning the financial records. When Ankit and Kunal objected to his behavior and assured him that every expense was properly accounted for, a heated verbal exchange broke out between the rival factions.
Police alleged that during the altercation, Kaushal and his associates opened fire. Ankit and Kunal suffered fatal chest wounds and died immediately.
Mohit and another individual named Rohit sustained injuries and were initially rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to Bareilly for advanced care. Mohit ultimately passed away during treatment.
Following the tragedy, law enforcement officials reported that a tense atmosphere has gripped Amariya, prompting a heavy deployment of police personnel to preserve public order and prevent further escalation.