Another Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, Kamal Pradhan, was shot dead in loni area of Ghaziabad on Monday night.This is fourth murder of BSP leader in last one year in the same area. Earlier, BSP councilor of Ghaziabad Municiple Corporation, Saukeen Malik (shot outside his residence in Ashok Vihar area of loni on last November 1), Naresh Jatav, district secretary of BSP in Ghaziabad (Shot by three motorcycle borne miscreants when he was on way back home on an auto-rickshaw also in loni on February 15 last) and one more BSP leader, were killed in last one year.
As per the reports, Kamal Pradhan, a senior BSP leader, who is also sitting pradhan, was sitting at barber’s shop for shaving when two motorcycle borne reached the spot on Monday night. Eye-witnesses claimed that one of the assailants entered inside the shop and paid his regard with folded handed to Kamal Pradhan. However, before Pradhan could sense foulplay, the accused suddenly whipped out a revolver and fired from point blank range at temple of the BSP leader. He fired some more rounds in air before rushed towards the motorcycle and escaped from the spot along with his aide.
The injured BSP leader was rushed to near-by hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. The news of death of Pradhan went like a wild fire and within no time, hundred of his supporters and family members gathered at the spot. They intercepted the traffic movement and when the local police tried to foil their move, they went on rampage pelting stones and damaging over two dozen private and government vehicles.
The agitated crowd alleged that the local administration was hand-in-glove with the criminals and on directions of the government, getting one after another BSP leader killed in the area. They also accused the local administration for not providing security even when the BSP leaders submitted a written application, informing the officials about threat to their lives. later after several hours of protest, the agitated crowd called off their agitation on assurance of stern action against the accused.