Ghaziabad: A 55-year-old farmer was killed and at least five others were injured after a violent clash in Muradnagar. A brawl allegedly broke out between two groups when a man took offence at being addressed by his first name rather than as “bhai”.Around 4.30pm on Sunday, Rishant alias Rinku was leaving his house for some work when he met his neighbour Kartik Sharma alias Sonu outside. Rishant asked Kartik, “Sonu, is everything alright?” This allegedly infuriated Kartik, who demanded that Rishant call him Sonu bhai, instead of just using his name. The argument escalated and the two men both called their family members.Rishant’s brother Manoj Kumar alleged in his police complaint that their uncle Devendra Sharma, who was passing by, joined the fray to help calm the situation, which was quickly turning violent.Kumar alleged that Kartik and his family members began beating Devendra and Rishant, attacking them with swords and knives. Some others in the group were also thrashing people with sticks, he said.“My uncle received more than eight sword and knife injuries along with other injuries in stomach, face and shoulder. More than three people were continuously beating him and left him near an empty plot when he fell unconscious,” Kumar alleged, adding that five others in his family, including Rishant, sustained severe injuries in the clash.DCP (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari said that an FIR has been registered under BNS sections 103 (murder), 109 (attempt to murder), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 191 (2) (rioting), 191 (3) (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation), 333 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) and 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) against eight identified and several unknown persons.“We have arrested three people – Karthik Sharma, Prince and Soyab – in the case so far. Teams have been formed to nab the other accused in the case,” the DCP added.
