BJP leader shot dead in up, triggers protests by partymen

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was shot dead by unidentified assailants in this Uttar Pradesh district Saturday evening, triggering protests by the partymen, police said.

Narendra Pratap Singh was killed near his residence in Sarai Khawaja town.

“According to eyewitnesses, two-three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at the BJP leader and managed to escape," said a police official.

“Singh succumbed to his bullet injuries at the district hospital. We are yet to establish the motive behind the crime that could be linked to some political rivalry," he added.

According to police, Singh was a member of the party’s district unit, and also an in-charge of the party’s district-level Kisan Morcha.

Meanwhile, demanding the arrest of those involved in the murder, BJP activists staged demonstrations in many parts of Jaunpur, some 250 km from Lucknow.