Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Sep 14: A truck allegedly owned by relatives of one BSP legislator Tahir mowed down four children in Kannauj around 220 kms from Lucknow on Wednesday. In the protest following the accident, police opened fire killing another person. Kannauj is the parliamentary constituency of Samajwadi Party (SP) Yuvraj Akhilesh Yadav who is presently busy with his Kranti Rath.

As per reports, children were on their way to school in the morning of Wednesday when a speeding truck mowed them down. After the incident, the truck driver tried to flee injuring several others. The injured were taken to hospital where Shyamji, Dhruv, Sumit and Tanu were pronounced dead. The condition of two - Asharam and Nihal - was said to be critical.

Later, a mob protesting against the killing of children turned violent. They started pelting stones in which SP Rajendra Singh and SDM of Chibramau, Manoj Singhal, were injured. Police resorted to tear gas shell and when it failed to control the mob they resorted to firing killing another youth Vipin.

Additional force was summoned from adjoining districts while IG Chandra Prakash and other officials also rushed to the scene. Heavy police force has been deputed to control the situation. Nearly two dozen people have been arrested by the police.

Meanwhile Samajwadi Party (SP) claimed that BSP legislator Tahir reached the police station and got the ill fated truck released.

Party's spokesperson claimed that police officials are not afraid and do not hesitate to take law in their hands. They are free to fire and kill people, he said.