A dispute over irrigation water turned deadly in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district after a 44-year-old BJP functionary, Vinod Kumar, was beaten to death by an Islamist mob in Bairagiwala village on Saturday (June 13) evening. The incident left three of his family members seriously injured and triggered widespread protests, road blockades, arson and demolition action against properties linked to the accused.
According to police, the violence began between 6 pm and 6.30 pm when Vinod Kumar got into an argument with a villager named Imtiaz over watering an adjacent agricultural field. Officials said both sides had reportedly been involved in disputes over irrigation water for several days.
Police found that following the altercation, a group of more than 40 people armed with lathis, wooden planks, hammers and shovels stormed Vinod Kumar’s house and attacked his family members.
During the assault, Vinod Kumar sustained severe head injuries after being struck with a hammer. Villagers rushed him, along with the injured family members, to Lehman Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His brothers Ashok and Rajesh and sister-in-law Sushma suffered serious injuries and are undergoing treatment.
Based on a complaint filed by Ashok, Sahaspur Police registered an FIR under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including murder, attempt to murder, rioting and common liability.
The FIR names 12 accused, Razzaq, Imtiaz, Aman, Yunus, Shahbaz, Sharafat Ali, Masoom, Adil, Shamoon, Salman, Javed and Intezar. Additionally, 30 to 40 unidentified persons have also been booked in connection with the attack.
Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal said multiple police teams were formed immediately after the incident to apprehend the accused. Four suspects: Razzaq, Salman, Javed and Shahbaz have been arrested so far, while efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.
The killing sparked outrage among local residents and Hindu organisations. Protesters blocked the Dehradun-Herbertpur highway for more than three hours, placing boulders on the road and staging a sit-in demonstration. Traffic movement remained disrupted until police and administrative officials persuaded the protesters to clear the route.
As tensions escalated, some protesters allegedly pelted stones at houses linked to the accused and vandalised property. One house belonging to an accused was reportedly set on fire. Police later resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence.
To maintain law and order, personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Dehradun Police were deployed in the area. A flag march was also conducted in Vikasnagar.
On June 14, senior officials visited the village as protests continued. Authorities demolished illegal structures belonging to the main accused, including a shop and a boundary wall, amid slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” raised by members of the crowd. Later in the day, the administration carried out another demolition drive and razed the entire house of the principal accused.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami condemned the killing and said those responsible would face strict punishment. He stated that any “jihadi and violent mindset” attempting to disturb the peace and social harmony of Uttarakhand would not be tolerated.
Vikasnagar MLA Munna Singh Chauhan, who visited the village after the incident, described Vinod Kumar as a dedicated BJP worker and assured residents that the accused would not be spared. He also appealed to people to maintain peace and cooperate with the investigation.
Police said the situation remains sensitive but is currently under control. Additional security personnel continue to be deployed in the area while raids are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused named in the FIR.
