Teenager dies in clash over wedding DJ in Siddharthnagar; kin stage protest

Lucknow: A 17-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted during a clash over changing of songs on a DJ system at a wedding procession in Kasdeeh village of Siddharthnagar district succumbed to injuries late Sunday night, following which his family and villagers staged a protest on Monday demanding immediate arrest of the accused.

Police said that the boy went to attend the wedding procession of his maternal aunt’s son where an argument broke out over changing of songs being played on the DJ system. The dispute allegedly escalated into violence during which several youths assaulted the members of the wedding procession.

The boy suffered severe injuries in the attack, while the groom’s brother and another relative were also injured.

Family first rushed the injured teenager to a primary health centre in Bansi from where doctors referred him to Gorakhpur Medical College after his condition deteriorated. However, relatives decided to take him to Lucknow for treatment, but he died on the way late Sunday night.

After the postmortem on Monday, the victim’s family and supporters staged a protest at Tilouli crossing in Siddharthnagar, accusing the police of delaying action against the accused. The protest led to traffic congestion for around half an hour as demonstrators blocked the road and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

Senior police officials reached the spot and assured the family that strict action would be taken against the accused. Later, the protesters withdrew the blockade and proceeded with the funeral.

“On a complaint lodged by the father of the deceased, police lodged an FIR against six unidentified people under murder charges and launched an investigation,” ASP Siddharthnagar, Prashant Kumar Prasad said.