BSP leader killed in front of house, death sparks clashes

BSP leader Sarvesh Singh Seepu, a former SP MLA, and another person were shot dead by unidentified assailants here this morning triggering clashes between his supporters and police that left two persons dead and 18 other injured.
Three motorcycle borne assailants fired at Seepu in front of his house killing him and another person identified as Narad Rai on the spot after around 2500 people attacked Jiyanpur police station, indulged in arson and opened fire, IG (Law and Order) R K Vishkarma told reporters in Lucknow.
As the mob clashed, police had to open fire and two persons died due to gunshot injuries, Vishkarma said, adding it would be confirmed only after post mortem examination whether they died in police firing.

Six policemen and 12 others were including a journalist were admitted to hospital, he said.
The mob also snatched rifles from policemen, indulged in brick-batting and tried to set police station afire, he said.
Additional force from the neighbouring districts like Mau, Gorakhpur, Ambedkarnagar and Jaunpur has been rushed to the district which has also been made available four companies of the PAC and the situation was now under control, he said.

Meanwhile, family members of Seepu have demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
"My brother has written several letters to the chief minister demanding security but no action was taken... Ultimately he has been killed... Only a CBI probe can expose those behind the conspiracy," his cousin Pawan Singh said.

According to IG Vishkarma, STF has been asked to identify the killers and different aspects are being looked into, including an old enmity during the last elections with a former block leader Puntu Singh, who is in jail.
Meanwhile, locals blocked traffic demanding immediate arrest of station officer of Jiyanpur Vijay Singh.
Seepu was a SP MLA from Sagari seat till 2012. He then joined BSP and had contested last Assembly elections on a BSP ticket from Sadar seat here.
Seepu's father Rampyare Singh was a cabinet minister in the previous Mulayam Singh Yadav government.