International Desk: Former Indian parliamentarian Atiq Ahmed and his brother, convicted of kidnapping, were shot dead on live TV on Saturday (April 15). Soon after the firing, the three assailants quickly surrendered, posing as journalists, and were taken into police custody. The killers claim that this attack is meant to make them famous in the world of crime. This information was reported by the Indian media, citing the police.
According to the report, on Sunday (April 16), the three killers admitted to police interrogators that they had planned to kill Atiq and his brother Ashraf long ago. The three made fake press cards for the attack.
On Saturday, they joined the crowd of other journalists with booms and cameras in hand. Hitman Lovelesh Tiwari, Sunny, and Arun Maurya had been with Atiq and Ashraf since morning. They already knew that Atiq and his brother, who are in police custody until Sunday, will be taken to Motilal Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj for medical examination.
They had been keeping an eye on Atiq’s movements since the morning. They told the police that they wanted to become famous in the criminal world by killing Atiq. Meanwhile, Indian media reported that no action has been taken against the policemen who are in charge of security in this incident.
Internet connectivity is still down at several places in Prayagraj. The state administration has sent a report to the central government after the high-level meeting. Earlier on Saturday night, Atiq was taken to the hospital for medical examination by the Uttar Pradesh police.
He was attacked after 10 p.m. on his way to a local hospital. Locals allege that the killers shot at Atiq and his brother Ashraf in front of the police, posing as journalists. They also chant. The scene was caught on live cameras on multiple TVs.
Atiq’s lawyer, Vijay, was in front of the hospital during the incident. He said that the police were bringing them down from the car for medical examination. They entered the hospital premises and heard gunshots. The MLA and his brother were shot dead. They died on the spot.
After this incident, the opposition parties raised questions about law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Two former chief ministers of the state, Mayawati and Akhilesh Singh Yadav, have also condemned it. It may be noted that Asad, the son of Atiq, the accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, died in a ‘crossfire’ with the police.
