UP: 19-year-old NEET aspirant shot dead by cattle smugglers in Gorakhpur; police launch hunt for accused

LUCKNOW: A 19-year-old NEET aspirant was brutally killed by cattle smugglers on Monday night in Gorakhpur. The student, whose identity is being withheld, was found dead with severe head injuries about 4 km from his home.According to police and eyewitness accounts, around 11:30 pm on Monday, 10–12 cattle smugglers in three vehicles arrived at Mauachapi village to loot cattle from a godown belonging to the student’s family. The student, alerted by a cousin, rushed to the spot on his scooter along with 10–15 villagers. A confrontation broke out, during which the smugglers overpowered him, forcibly took him inside a goods vehicle, and later killed him before dumping his body several kilometres away.His body, drenched in blood and with a crushed skull, was recovered about four-and-a-half hours later.Villagers’ outrageThe killing triggered violent anger among locals. Villagers caught hold of one smuggler, set his vehicle ablaze, and thrashed him severely, leaving him critically injured. When police tried to rescue him, a scuffle ensued, during which SP (North) Jitendra Srivastava and Pipraich SHO sustained injuries.

On Tuesday morning, enraged villagers blocked the Gorakhpur–Pipraich road, leading to a major traffic jam. The situation turned tense as police and the mob faced off. Villagers pelted stones at police personnel, forcing them to retreat. Four police stations’ forces along with PAC contingents were deployed to restore order.Family’s griefThe student’s parents were inconsolable. His mother broke down, demanding that her son’s killers be executed, saying only then would the family find peace.Police statementSSP Gorakhpur Raj Karan Nayyar said the incident occurred around 3 am when villagers chased the smugglers. One of their vehicles got stuck, while others fled. The victim reportedly pursued them, following which he was abducted and later pushed from a moving vehicle, causing fatal head injuries.“Prima facie, injuries suggest death due to head trauma from falling on the road. There is no gunshot wound as rumoured. An FIR has been lodged on the family’s complaint, and five teams have been constituted for a breakthrough. One injured smuggler is under treatment in hospital,” the SSP said.Meanwhile, two to three cattle were recovered from one of the smugglers’ pickup vans.The atmosphere in Mauachapi village and adjoining areas remains tense, with heavy police deployment. Authorities are working to pacify villagers and assure swift justice in the case.