Three Men Brutally Killed in Uttar Pradesh Village Over Old Rivalry, Bodies Dumped in Pond; Tension Grips Area

Gahmar (Uttar Pradesh), December 26: Three men were brutally hacked to death with sharp weapons in Gahmar village of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday in an incident linked to an old rivalry, police said on Thursday. After the attack, the assailants allegedly dumped the bodies into a nearby pond, triggering fear, protests, and tension among local residents. According to police officials, axes and choppers were used in the attack, indicating extreme violence. The victims were attacked following a long-standing dispute between two groups belonging to different majras (small settlements) within the same village. The rivalry had reportedly led to earlier clashes this year, during which cases were registered against members of both groups. DIG (Varanasi Range) Vaibhav Krishna said that based on complaints lodged by the victims’ families, a case has been registered against 12 accused persons. He confirmed that strict legal action would be taken against all those found responsible for the killings. “The groups involved had an altercation earlier this year as well. That dispute appears to be the root cause of this violent incident. Axes and choppers were used in the attack, and after the assault, the bodies were thrown into a pond,” the DIG said. Police said one body was recovered on Wednesday, shortly after the incident came to light. A second body was found on Thursday evening following an extensive search operation. Efforts are still underway to locate the third body, which is believed to be submerged in the same pond. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed to assist local police in the search operation. The incident sparked protests in Gahmar village soon after the killings became known. Angry residents gathered and demanded swift arrests and strict punishment for those involved. The situation remained tense throughout Wednesday and Thursday, prompting the police to deploy additional forces in the area to prevent any further violence or escalation. Senior police officials said that the situation is now under control, but security has been tightened as a precaution. Police personnel are maintaining a close watch in and around the village, while patrolling has been increased to ensure peace and prevent retaliatory attacks. Family members of the victims accused the attackers of acting with pre-planned intent and demanded immediate arrests. They said the long-standing rivalry had created fear in the village and claimed that repeated disputes were not effectively resolved in the past, allowing tensions to grow. Residents of the village described the incident as shocking and disturbing. Many said such violence had created an atmosphere of fear, especially among women and children. Some villagers also expressed concern over the use of extreme violence in settling local disputes. Police officials said investigations are ongoing and teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations, and authorities are questioning suspects linked to the earlier clashes between the two groups. DIG Vaibhav Krishna assured that no one involved in the crime would be spared. “The law will take its course. We are committed to ensuring justice for the victims and maintaining peace in the area,” he said. The killings have once again raised concerns over violent rivalries in rural areas and the need for timely intervention to prevent disputes from turning deadly. As the search for the third body continues, villagers remain on edge, hoping for swift action and a return to Three Men Brutally Killed in Uttar Pradesh Village Over Old Rivalry, Bodies Dumped in Pond; Tension Grips Area A shocking incident of violence has shaken Gahmar village in Uttar Pradesh, where three men were brutally hacked to death with axes and choppers in an attack linked to an old rivalry, police said. After the assault, the attackers allegedly dumped the bodies into a nearby pond, spreading fear and tension across the village. The incident took place on Wednesday and is believed to be the result of a long-standing dispute between two groups from different majras within the village. According to police, similar clashes had occurred earlier this year, and cases were registered at that time as well. However, the rivalry escalated into extreme violence this week. DIG (Varanasi Range) Vaibhav Krishna said a case has been registered against 12 people based on complaints filed by the victims’ families. He confirmed that axes and choppers were used in the attack and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. Police recovered one body on Wednesday soon after the incident came to light. Another body was found on Thursday evening after an extensive search operation. Efforts are still underway to locate the third body, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) assisting local police in searching the pond. The killings triggered protests by villagers, with residents demanding immediate arrests and justice for the victims. The situation remained tense, prompting the deployment of additional police forces in the area to prevent further violence. Authorities said the situation is under control, but security has been tightened as a precaution. Police teams are conducting raids and questioning suspects linked to the earlier dispute. Officials have assured villagers that all those involved will be arrested and brought to justice, as the investigation continues.