2 temple priests killed in UP

Lucknow, April 28

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Two priests were found murdered at a temple in Bulandshahr district on Tuesday morning. They were allegedly killed by a local youth.

Jagdish (55) and Sher Singh (45) were apparently hit with a lathi at Paguana village’s Shiva temple, the police said. The alleged killer has been arrested.

Uttar Pradesh CMYogi Adityanath directed strict action in the case as opposition leaders targeted his BJP government over the crime.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the case should not be politicised. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Adityanath, expressing concern over the killing. Days earlier, Adityanath had made a similar phone call to him over the lynching of two sadhus in Palghar.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police, Murari, also known as Raju, was accused by the sadhus two days ago of stealing a pair of tongs used by them.

The youth, allegedly under the influence of cannabis, was caught near the temple soon after the two were found dead in the temple.

Senior officers rushed to the spot and questioned the man, who told them that after taking “bhang” on Monday night he went to the temple and killed the sadhus with a lathi lying there.

According to one official, the intoxicated youth said he carried out “God’s will”, denying he had any quarrel with the priests.

The senior official said the youth would be interrogated at length later as he was still under the influence of the drug. Villagers caught the youth when he was spotted roaming naked about 2 km from the scene of the crime, the police said. — PTI

RSS pays tribute to Palghar sadhus

New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday paid homage to the two “sadhus” beaten to death a few days ago in Palghar, Maharashtra, by lighting “diyas”, while affiliate Bajrang Dal wrote in blood to Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray, demanding swift justice for them. TNS

Thackeray dials Yogi, raises concern

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath over phone on Tuesday and expressed concern over the killing of two priests in Bulandshahr district, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday. The killing of priests in Uttar Pradesh should not be communalised like the Palghar incident in Maharashtra, Raut said, in an apparent taunt at the BJP. PTI