The shocking killing of a former lawmaker in India's parliament, Atiq Ahmed, and his brother while in police custody has sent shockwaves across the country. The entire gruesome incident was caught on live television in Prayagraj city, Uttar Pradesh. The assailant, posing as a journalist, reached over the shoulders of the police and shot Ahmed at point-blank range. His brother was also shot, and both men died within minutes. The suspects were quickly detained, and reports suggest that they had been members of a criminal organisation that the Ahmed brothers allegedly led. Following the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a judicial probe into the killings.
The incident has raised serious questions over the safety of individuals in police custody, particularly those who are high-profile and notorious criminals. The fact that the assailants were able to pose as journalists and carry out the attack in broad daylight has exacerbated concerns over the effectiveness of law enforcement in Uttar Pradesh. The incident has also raised fears of violent unrest, with the government imposing restrictive orders that forbid gatherings of more than four people across the entire state.
This is not the first time that police in Uttar Pradesh have been involved in a high-profile killing of suspected criminals. Over the past six years, police in the state have killed more than 180 suspects during encounters. The head of the opposition Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, has criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for failing to bring law and order to Uttar Pradesh. Yadav has also raised concerns over the safety of the general public, particularly in light of the fact that a high-profile ex-party member was killed in police custody.
Overall, the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother has sent shockwaves across India and raised serious questions over the safety of individuals in police custody. The Uttar Pradesh government's decision to order a judicial probe into the incident is a positive step towards ensuring that justice is done and that such incidents do not occur again in the future.