Ballia firing: Main accused held from Lucknow

NEW DELHI: A day after main accused in the Ballia firing case, Dhirendra Pratap Singh, posted a video on social media claiming he did not open fire as is being alleged, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force from Lucknow on Sunday.
STF officials said that Dhirendra was arrested from Polytechnic crossing in Lucknow.
On Sunday, two more accused identified as Amarjeet Yadav and Santosh Yadav were arrested in connection with the same incident. The duo were also carrying cash prize of Rs 50,000 on their heads.
So far six people, including the main accused have been arrested in the case.
On Friday, Dhirendra claimed in a viral video that he is innocent, and was standing before the sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Suresh Chandra Pal and circle officer Chandrakesh Singh. He said had cautioned officials about malpractices in allotment of fair price shops.
He further stated that police officials caught him while his family members were being thrashed amid indiscriminate firing by his rivals. Dhirendra claimed he was caught by the CO but he escaped fearing threat to his life.
He also accused the district administration and police of taking one-sided action against him.
DIG Azamgarh, Subhash Dubey announced cash reward of Rs 50,000 on Dhirendra on Friday.
Earlier, on October 15, Jaiprakash Pal was shot dead in Ballia’s Durjanpur village in full public view in the presence of SDM, CO and policemen. The incident occurred when a dispute erupted at a meeting for the allotment of ration shops in Durjanpur village in Reoti area of Ballia district.
UP CM Adityanath had taken cognisance of the matter and ordered suspension of SDM, CO and some other officials who were present at the spot when the incident occurred.