Gorakhpur is in turmoil following the tragic death of a 19-year-old student, Dileep Gupta, who was preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). He was reportedly killed by suspected cattle smugglers late on September 16, an event that sparked widespread and furious protests the following day.
Dileep, a resident of Mahuachafi Tola in the Pipraich police station area, died while attempting to pursue the cattle smugglers. Enraged by his death, local villagers quickly intercepted one of the suspects’ vehicles and set it ablaze. The situation escalated as villagers blocked the Gorakhpur-Pipraich road for several hours, clashing with police who were dispatched to clear the area, pelting them with stones. Officers from nearby stations and a unit of the Provincial Armed Constabulary were deployed to restore order.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Raj Karan Nayyar, informed local media, “We were notified around 3 a.m. that cattle smugglers had entered the village in two vehicles. Locals pursued them, and one vehicle became stuck in mud. The student, who was chasing them, was allegedly taken in the second vehicle and later thrown out midway. He succumbed to head injuries.” Nayyar confirmed that a formal complaint has been registered under relevant sections, and five teams are actively pursuing the accused. While there are claims of a shooting, the SSP stated that preliminary findings do not indicate a gunshot injury.
Opposition parties swiftly condemned the incident, describing it as further evidence of Uttar Pradesh’s deteriorating law and order situation. Shahnawaz Alam, national secretary of the Congress, stated, “Such an occurrence in the Chief Minister’s home district clearly demonstrates that criminals operate without fear of the police or the State’s law enforcement. Historically, a CM’s district was considered a model for law and order. However, currently, the entire state is experiencing an all-time low in public safety, with anti-social elements acting with impunity.”