Varanasi: In the aftermath of the Shambhupur killings that left five people dead, Azamgarh Police has stepped in to secure the future of two minor girls left orphaned in the tragedy, with SSP Anil Kumar pledging a month’s salary and every police personnel in the district contributing a day’s pay towards their upbringing and education.
The decision came after a nearly seven-hour standoff in Shambhuganj village ended in a police encounter early Wednesday, with 42-year-old Arvind Singh , accused of killing his wife Babita (40) and two priests, shot dead after allegedly refusing repeated appeals to surrender and holding his three children hostage inside the house. Arvind returned from the market around 6 pm and questioned the priests about the ritual, according to police.
Azamgarh SSP Anil Kumar said that after the firing, Arvind allegedly locked himself inside a room with his children. He also allegedly shot his six-year-old son when police challenged him. Police have registered two FIRs in the incident—one by the police personnel involved in the encounter and another by a relative of the slain priest against the slain accused, Arvind Singh. Police also seized the revolver used by Arvind to shoot four people. The incident took place in Shambhupur village under the Ahraula police station area, where a puja was being performed at the house of Arvind. He allegedly demanded that they show their Aadhaar cards , leading to an argument. As the dispute escalated, Arvind allegedly took out a pistol kept in the house and opened fire. Police teams from three stations, along with senior officials, rushed to the spot. On being challenged, he shot his son too. Officers then fired back to protect themselves and rescue the two children — a five-year-old girl and a seven-month-old girl.
Fatal Incident Claims Lives of Three in Family
In a tragic event, three individuals lost their lives when a violent incident occurred. Babita Singh, aged 40, and two priests, Mahendra Pathak, 44, and Akhilesh Mishra, 55, died at the scene. A third priest managed to escape unharmed. At the time of the incident, several family members were present in the house, including Arvind’s mother, Samla Devi, and his children.