Gun booms at SP rally, 11 hurt

OVER 11 people sustained injuries in an incident of firing during a vehicle procession organised by the Samajwadi Party to welcome its leader Surendra Mohan Agarwal here on Thursday. Aggarwal, who was recently given the status of a cabinet minister by Mulayam Singh Yadav, was visiting the city for the first time after getting the ministerial rank. Hundreds of party workers reached Ganga Ghat to welcome the minister who hails from the city. However, their enthusiasm was short-lived when 11 persons suffered injuries at Phoolbagh crossing.

OVER 11 people sustained injuries in an incident of firing during a vehicle procession organised by the Samajwadi Party to welcome its leader Surendra Mohan Agarwal here on Thursday.

Aggarwal, who was recently given the status of a cabinet minister by Mulayam Singh Yadav, was visiting the city for the first time after getting the ministerial rank. Hundreds of party workers reached Ganga Ghat to welcome the minister who hails from the city. However, their enthusiasm was short-lived when 11 persons suffered injuries at Phoolbagh crossing.

Out of sheer excitement, a party worker fired from his licensed double barrel gun. On hearing the sounds of gun-shots, those who were participating in the procession began to run here and there. There was a stampede-like situation at the busy Phoolbagh crossing. 

The party worker, who fired from his licensed gun, was identified as Vikas Gupta, resident of Ramnarayan Bazaar. He was beaten up by his own partymen and the police had to use to a mild force to save his life. The police detained Vikas and said that they would only act if an FIR was lodged against him. Naeem Siddiqui, SP city president, minority cell, urged SHO of Cantt CD Gaur not to release the accused. All the injured were the supporters of Naeem Siddiqui.

Earlier, SP workers organised a vehicle procession to welcome Aggarwal who was appointed member of Uttar Pradesh Development Corporation. The procession, which reached Ganga Ghat to receive the minister, was heading towards Shikshak Park in Naveen Market. There, Aggarwal had to address the party workers.

As the procession reached the Phoolbagh crossing, Vikas  fired from his .12 bore double barrel gun. The pellet scattered in the procession and injured 11 persons identified as Mohd. Asif, Mohd. Naseem, Mohd. Guddu, Sanjay Awasthi, Mohd.

Ebrahim, Mohd. Asif, Iqbal Pintoo, Pappu and Krishna Jha.

The injured were admitted to a private hospital in Civil Lines where condition of Mohd. Naseem was stated to be critical. The pandal that was erected at Shikshak Park to honour the minister was immediately dismantled. However, the SP said that Vikas was not a member of the party.