Atiq Ahmed should be killed in police encounter: Former BJP MP Harinarayan Rajbhar
Ballia (UP), Mar 9: Former BJP MP Harinarayan Rajbhar on Thursday said gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed should be brought out of jail and killed in an encounter, adding that the gates of heaven will open for the policeman who does so.
The provocative remark comes days after Ahmed's two alleged aides, accused in the Umesh Pal murder, were killed in separate encounters with UP Police. Police say they fired in retaliation, but the opposition Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have expressed disquiet.
The police encounters followed the gunning down of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, and two police personnel in Prayagraj last month.
Police said Ahmed, already lodged in a Gujarat jail in connection with another case, was involved in planning the attack.
"Atiq Ahmed conspired the murder while in jail. Atiq Ahmed has killed hundreds of people and forcibly occupied the land of the poor," Rajbhar, who was elected to Parliament in 2014 from Ghosi in Mau district, told reporters.
"Atiq Ahmed fears being killed in an encounter. There should be an encounter of all the shooters involved in the Umesh Pal murder case. An encounter of Atiq Ahmed should be carried out after bringing him out of jail. The doors of heaven will open in the future for the officer who carries out Atiq's encounter," he said.
Ahmed recently moved the Supreme Court, saying he feared for his life.
In the petition, he expressed the apprehension that the Uttar Pradesh Police will seek his remand in connection with the Umesh Pal murder and then stage a fake encounter while bringing him from Ahmedabad prison to Prayagraj.
Along with Ahmed, police have named his family members in the Umesh Pal case.
Rajbhar was also asked about SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav's remark that Ahmed's son will be killed in a fake encounter in the coming days.
"Ram Gopal Yadav has given birth to these criminals while in government, taught them crime. He is still speaking in support of these criminals," the BJP leader charged.
He said the Mulayam Singh Yadav family "promotes such elements" and accused SP leaders of being "merchants of death".
Targeting Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) leader Om Prakash Rajbhar, the BJP leader called him an "accomplice of criminals" and said he should be in jail.
He alleged that the SBSP chief and his sons are extorting money from businessmen and doctors.
"They are committing these crimes under police protection. If the government does not pay attention now, there is a possibility that more Prayagraj-like incidents will take place in the near future," he said.
The SBSP has quit its alliance with the SP and appears to be inching towards the ruling BJP.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
