Toll in UP violence climbs to two, ex-legislator cremated

The death toll in violence in Uttar Pradesh following the killing of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader rose to two Saturday as another person succumbed to his injuries and the slain former legislator was cremated, police said.

Former legislator Sarvesh Singh, who was shot dead July 19 in Azamgarh district, 270 km from state capital Lucknow, was cremated amid tension and heavy police presence.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) R.K. Vishwakarma told IANS that a case of murder and attempted murder was slapped on the Jiyanpur station house officer and another policeman.

Santosh Singh, brother of the victim, lodged a complaint against Inspector Vijay Singh, Sangram Singh, Rizwan, Rajendra and Prakash Yadav. Inspector Vijay Singh was arrested Friday.

A case has also been lodged by police against three unknown people for rioting, causing harm to public property and attacking government officials on duty.

Last rites of the two people - Jitendra Gupta and Chandrbhan Chaubey - who were killed in retaliatory fire by police after mobs went berserk Friday, were also conducted amid police presence.

Violence and arson had erupted in the district after Sarvesh Singh's murder Friday. In the subsequent police firing, two people were killed and over three dozen injured.

The probe of the murders is being conducted by the special task force of the state police.