Tension gripped Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district after BJP Yuva Morcha functionary Vinod Kumar Kashyap was allegedly beaten to death during a violent clash in Bairagiwala village of Sahaspur area. The incident triggered large-scale protests, arson, bulldozer action and suspension of internet services in Vikasnagar to prevent further unrest.
Police said Vinod Kumar Kashyap, 48, who was associated with the BJP OBC Morcha and local right-wing groups, died after being attacked with hammers and sticks during a clash linked to an irrigation water dispute.
According to officials, the violence began on Saturday evening when an argument broke out between Kashyap’s family and neighbouring residents over water being taken from a public tubewell for irrigation purposes.
Mob Allegedly Stormed House With Weapons
Police said the dispute escalated after an argument between Kashyap’s younger brother Ashok Kumar and the family of the main accused, Imtiaz. Soon after the initial fight in the fields, a large group allegedly reached Kashyap’s house armed with sticks, hammers and sharp weapons.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Dobal said, “Imtiaz, along with other accused and unidentified persons, reached the victim’s house and assaulted family members. Vinod Kumar Kashyap sustained fatal injuries after being hit on the head with a hammer.”
Ashok Kumar, in his complaint to police, alleged that the accused first diverted irrigation water and later attacked the family when they objected.
“Imtiaz, his relatives and neighbours entered our house and attacked us with weapons. My brother was killed in the assault,” Ashok alleged in the FIR.
Vinod’s brother Rajesh Kumar and another family member, Sushma, were also seriously injured and are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Herbertpur.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.
