3 held for SP worker’s murder over panchayat poll rivalry

Amroha: Three persons were arrested in Amroha on Friday for allegedly killing a 45-year-old Samajwadi Party worker over panchayat poll rivalry. The arrested men were Rihan (first name available), Saleem Ahmed from Jaitauli, and Vikar Ahmad from Shakargarhi.Amroha SP Amit Kumar Anand said, "The bullet-ridden body of Ishrat Ali from Jartauli village was found in a sugarcane field on Jan 20. A case was registered against six accused, including Nazim, under BNS sections 191(2) (3), 190 and 103(1) based on the complaint filed by Ishrat's family."Anand added: "The police arrested three suspects and recovered an illegal pistol, cartridges and mobile phones from them. The arrested individuals have been sent to jail under judicial custody. During interrogation, they revealed that the main accused, Nazim, in this case, had an ongoing rivalry with Ishrat over village head polls which took place about four years ago."Nazim had contested the village head polls and lost. He later found out that Ishrat had canvassed against him. Nazim was preparing for the next poll and feared that Ishrat would oppose him again."The accused, along with his associates, executed the plan by attacking the victim on his way home. They shot him in the head and disposed of his body in a cane field," Anand said.