LUCKNOW: A long-standing rivalry between two families turned deadly in Uttar Pradesh‘s Sant Kabir Nagar district on Sunday when armed assailants allegedly opened fire on a family working in an agricultural field, killing an uncle and his nephew and leaving two others seriously injured. The incident triggered widespread anger, with villagers setting two motorcycles belonging to the accused on fire.The incident took place in Jamohara village under Mehdawal police station limits, around 30 km from the district headquarters. The deceased were identified as Prahlad Yadav (42) and his nephew Ramkesh Yadav (36). Two other family members sustained serious injuries and were referred to BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur for advanced treatment.According to Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Meena, Prahlad, Ramkesh, Ghanshyam Yadav and Sahasram Yadav were working in their field and preparing for wheat sowing when members of the rival family allegedly launched a planned attack. The assailants, identified as Murlidhar Yadav, Ajay Yadav, Sushil Yadav, Sunil Yadav and Rakesh Yadav, allegedly assaulted them with sticks before opening fire with illegal firearms.Prahlad, Ramkesh and Ghanshyam sustained injuries in the attack. Ramkesh and his uncle Prahlad later succumbed to their injuries during treatment, while two injured persons were referred to Gorakhpur for specialised medical care.The attack reportedly stemmed from a rivalry between the two families dating back to 2019, with both sides allegedly involved in a dispute over local dominance. Their houses are situated around 300 metres apart.More than 50 police personnel were deployed in the village to prevent further escalation. Additional security arrangements were also made at the post-mortem facility.The victims’ family alleged that the attack could have been prevented had the police acted on an earlier complaint. Ramkesh’s brother, Srikesh, claimed that his brother had been assaulted with sticks and a spear around two months ago. A case of attempt to murder was subsequently registered against members of the rival family, but the police allegedly failed to take effective action.He further alleged that the accused had attacked 12 to 14 people over the past four years. He also claimed that he himself had been assaulted two years ago and left unconscious in a field.According to the family, Ramkesh had returned to the village around two months ago after working as a labourer in Hyderabad. Prahlad, who had been living in Punjab, had returned to the village just three days before the incident.SHO, four other policemen suspendedTaking cognisance of the incident and alleged lapses in handling the earlier case, SP Sandeep Kumar Meena suspended five policemen, including Mehdawal station house officer Rakesh Singh.Those suspended include Sub-Inspector Om Prakash, the investigating officer in the earlier attempt-to-murder case, Head Constable Murli, Sub-Inspector Yogesh Rai and Constable Anikesh.
