A tragic incident unfolded in Mohanpur village, Shahjahanpur, late Thursday night when a village headman allegedly opened fire at a child’s naming ceremony, killing the host, Avneesh Kumar, over not being invited. The shooting has shocked the local community, highlighting tensions over social disputes in the region, with authorities now investigating the circumstances leading to the violence.

According to police reports, Avneesh Kumar, 23, was hosting a celebratory feast for his son’s naming ceremony when Sukhdev, 48, the village headman, arrived uninvited. Angered by his exclusion, Sukhdev allegedly fired two rounds, one of which struck Kumar. Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Dwivedi confirmed that Kumar was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The incident has raised concerns about the accessibility of firearms and the escalation of personal grievances in rural settings.

In the chaos that followed, family members and guests at the ceremony apprehended Sukhdev and severely beat him. The village headman sustained serious injuries and is currently hospitalized in critical condition. Police have launched a manhunt for the weapon used in the crime, which remains missing, and are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the full sequence of events.

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Kumar’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death. Authorities are urging calm as they work to ensure justice is served. The incident underscores the need for conflict resolution mechanisms in close-knit communities to prevent such tragic outcomes in the future.

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