Bajrang Dal activist killed in MP district

Bhopal: A Bajrang Dal activist was early on Friday morning shot dead by three unidentified assailants in district headquarters town of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh.

The local units of various right-wing Hindu bodies observed a shutdown in the town in protest against the killing during which stray incidents of violence were reported in the area, the police said.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 2.30 am on Friday when the deceased, Tarun Sankhla (20), was returning home in his bike after participating in a “garba”, a dance festival, in the locality.

Three unidentified bike-borne assailants waylaid him at a place in the town and opened fire on him from close range. The accused also dragged him some distance down the road before fleeing the spot.

“The victim was rushed to the district hospital by some passersby. He, however, died during treatment,” a senior district police officer said.

The deceased was also facing several criminal charges, including attempt to murder earlier. An attempt on his life was also made around this time last year, the police said.

“Prima facie, it appears personal rivalry led to the attack. However, probe was on into the incident,” a police officer told this newspaper.

Later, local units of various saffron outfits observed bandh in the town over the killing.

Several shops, including a gym, were damaged following stone-pelting by the demonstrators.

“The situation is tense but under normal,” the police said.