Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Jun: Two men accused of murdering local BJP leader Rohit Negi were arrested after an encounter with police near Purkazi in Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Friday.
The accused, identified as Azhar Tyagi and Ayush Kumar alias Sikandar, sustained bullet injuries in their legs during retaliatory firing by the police. Both were initially taken to CHC, Gurukul Narsan, but later shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh as their condition worsened.
Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh said the arrests were made following a tip-off received on Thursday night. The duo was spotted near Manglaur in Uttarakhand and was attempting to flee towards Muzaffarnagar when police intercepted them.
According to police, the accused opened fire when they realized they were being chased near Purkazi. In the exchange that followed, Tyagi received bullet injuries to his legs and one arm, while Kumar was shot in the knees.
Rohit Negi, a former Mandal president of BJP Yuva Morcha, was shot dead inside his car past midnight on Tuesday. He was returning home with friends after attending a party when the attack occurred near Peepal Chowk in the Manduwala area of Prem Nagar.
Tyagi, who had reportedly argued with Negi over the phone during the party, allegedly arrived on a motorcycle with Kumar and fired at the car from close range. A bullet pierced the windshield and struck Negi in the neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Azhar Tyagi, a hotel management graduate from Dehradun, had moved away from the city several years ago but visited frequently. Police are now probing how the accused obtained the pistols used in the crime.
The case has drawn attention to the increasing number of illegal firearms in Dehradun. In April, a BSc Agriculture student from Bihar accidentally shot his roommate from Jharkhand with an illegal pistol.
In March, two law students were arrested for firing at another student with country-made pistols. A similar shooting occurred in February in the Paundha area, involving a student gang.
