A minor dispute regarding financial accounts at a Ramlila fair in the Ameria town of Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, escalated into a tragic shooting, claiming the lives of three people. What began as a verbal argument between two factions over committee expenses quickly turned violent when one side resorted to indiscriminate rifle firing, leaving four individuals with gunshot wounds and plunging the entire community into shock and grief.
Origins of the Dispute and Sudden Violence
According to local accounts, Ameria hosts an annual Ramlila staging during the Navratri festival. On Monday night, Amit Gupta, who served as an office-bearer for the fair committee last year, convened a meeting to review expenditure details. Kaushal Gupta, a local resident seeking a position in the committee this year, raised objections over the accounts and started a commotion. When Amit Gupta and his associates urged him to remain calm and assured him that every expense was being accounted for, the situation deteriorated rapidly. Allegations indicate that Kaushal Gupta and his companions opened fire with a rifle during the heated exchange.
Tragic Deaths and Local Panic
The sudden gunfire struck four people, causing widespread panic just 500 meters away from the local police station. 14-year-old Kunal श्रीवास्तव suffered a fatal head injury, while Ankit गुप्ता sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and died. Ankit's brother, Mohit, was rushed to Bareilly in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries on the way. The triple fatality has created an atmosphere of extreme tension across the town, with residents locking themselves inside their homes as a wave of fear grips the area.
Police Response and Security Measures
Upon receiving information, the local police station team rushed to the scene and transported the injured to the community health center, where Kunal and Ankit were declared dead. Senior officials, including the Superintendent of Police and Additional Superintendent of Police, inspected the crime scene. Authorities have taken three suspects into custody and sent the bodies for post-mortem examinations. To maintain public order and prevent further escalation, heavy police forces have been stationed at both the scene of the incident and the district hospital.
