By Maktoob
A 43-year-old Muslim government primary school teacher was allegedly shot dead near his school in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district on Tuesday by a farmer who, after surrendering to the police, claimed that he had killed him because he believed the teacher was promoting “love jihad”.
The victim, Naushad Ahmed, was posted at a primary school in Purushottampur village. He was returning home from school in the afternoon when he was allegedly attacked.
According to the police, the assailant had been waiting for Ahmed and opened fire when he arrived, before fleeing the spot on a motorcycle.
Ahmed sustained multiple bullet injuries and was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The accused, identified as 32-year-old Gaurav Chaudhary, a farmer from Puranpur Garhi village, later surrendered at Nazibabad police station and handed over a country-made pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
According to Amar Ujala, the accused allegedly told the police that he had shot the teacher three times. He also allegedly accused Naushad of being involved in “love jihad”.
A police officer said that, during his surrender, Chaudhary claimed that Ahmed was actively promoting “love jihad”.
The police, however, are also examining a personal dispute between the two that allegedly occurred days before the shooting.
According to the preliminary police inquiry, Chaudhary’s family had a close relationship with a local Dalit family.
After learning that a girl from the family was allegedly in a relationship with a local Muslim youth and had been seen with him, Chaudhary reportedly informed members of both families.
The couple was subsequently allegedly beaten and warned by their respective families.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.