BJP Yuva Morcha Functionary Killed in Dehradun Over Water Dispute, Communal Tension Erupts

A BJP Yuva Morcha functionary was killed in Dehradun following a dispute over irrigation water, escalating into an attack on his family

DEHRADUN: A BJP Yuva Morcha functionary was killed after a dispute over irrigation water from a public tubewell in Dehradun's Sahaspur area escalated into an attack on his family on Saturday evening, with the violence triggering highway blockade, arson, bulldozer demolition and suspension of internet services the next day as communal tension spread in the area. Vinod Kumar Kashyap, 48, social media co-incharge of BJP Yuva Morcha's OBC wing in Dehradun district, died after he was hit on the head with a hammer during the attack, police said. The clash began when his younger brother Ashok Kumar, a member of a right-wing organisation, went to irrigate his field using water from a public borewell and the family of prime accused Imtiaz, whose field was adjacent to his, objected to the flow of water. Dehradun SSP Pramendra Dobal said the argument first took place in the fields and later shifted to Ashok's house. "Imtiaz and his family members, whose fields adjoined Ashok's, objected to it. Both sides soon entered into a heated argument followed by a scuffle, in which Imtiaz and his family members assaulted Ashok and his relative Rajesh. Ashok and his relative then went home. Later, Imtiaz, along with 11 named accused and around 40 unidentified people, reached Ashok's house," Dobal said. Police said the group attacked Ashok and family members present at the house when they tried to stop them. "The FIR was registered under BNS sections 103 (murder), 109 (attempt to murder), 191(2) (rioting), and 3(5) (committing crime with common intention)," Dobal said. The murder led to tension in the area on Sunday as members of right-wing groups and local residents blocked the national highway connecting Dehradun with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Vinod’s family initially refused to allow the body to be removed from the house until strict action was assured, while police and district officials tried to pacify the crowd. By afternoon, the situation worsened when a mob reached Imtiaz’s house and set it on fire. Police said no casualty was reported. Authorities later demolished the residence of another accused, Aman Ali. Police filed a separate case against around 30 persons, including 25 unidentified accused, for the retaliatory violence and arson. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said no accused in the murder case would be spared. “We will not tolerate anyone disturbing law and order in Uttarakhand. An FIR has been filed in the murder case, and police are evaluating all legal provisions to ensure the strictest possible action,” Dhami said duringa public event.