SDM's son shot over land dispute

SDMHardoiHardoiLucknow-Hardoi Reports said Mayank Shukla, son of Ramesh Chandra Shunkla SDM Rampur had recently floated a company dealing in sale and purchase of property. Most of the company's work was executed at the Indraprasth Colony residence of Mayank. On Monday, Mayank and his partners reached Dehlauli area in Hardoi to stake claim to a plot of land. The move was resisted by brother-duo Ashok Singh and Harinam Singh who own a flour mill and a brick kiln, respectively, right opposite the plot of land Mayank and his partners had gone to take possession of.Reports said the Singh brothers have been staking claim to the said plot for years, hence, resisted Shukla's efforts to take possession of the plot. This led to a heated exchange between the two sides taking an ugly turn as Harinam Singh, who was carrying his licensed rifle with him, opened fire. The bullet hit Shukla on his chest and he died on the spot.The incident triggered resentment among locals and associates of Shukla who staged a protest after blocking the Lucknow highway by keeping his body in the middle of the road. The rising tempers were pacified only after police informed the protesting mob that three of the four named accused in the case had been arrested. The protestors demanded immediate arrest of the absconding prime accused Harinam Singh and were assured by the senior officials that all out efforts were underway to arrest him and seize the rifle used in the crime. The police officials also assured the protesting mob that police would move court to seek permission to attach the property of the accused in case police failed to apprehend him within the next few days. The mob dispersed later in the evening.