The city of Gorakhpur was plunged into chaos and grief following the tragic death of a 19-year-old student, Dileep Gupta, who was diligently preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). On the late night of September 16, he was reportedly shot dead by suspected cattle smugglers. This shocking incident ignited a firestorm of protests across the region on Tuesday (September 16, 2025).
Dileep, a resident of Mahuachafi Tola in Pipraich, met his untimely end while bravely attempting to confront the cattle smugglers. Enraged by the news, local villagers intercepted one of the suspects’ vehicles and immediately set it ablaze. The simmering anger then boiled over into wider demonstrations.
Hours later, the Gorakhpur-Pipraich road was completely blocked by protesting villagers, who clashed with police forces dispatched to clear the area, pelting them with stones. Additional police units from nearby stations and a detachment of the Provincial Armed Constabulary were swiftly deployed to bring the volatile situation under control.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Raj Karan Nayyar, addressed the local media, stating, “We received information that around 3 a.m., cattle smugglers arrived in the village in two vehicles. Locals pursued them, and one vehicle became stuck in the mud. A student who continued the chase was taken by the smugglers in their other vehicle and then discarded midway. He unfortunately succumbed to severe head injuries. We have registered a formal complaint under relevant sections, and five specialized teams have been formed to apprehend the perpetrators. While some individuals are claiming shots were fired, prima facie, there is no indication of bullet injuries.”
The Opposition swiftly condemned the Uttar Pradesh government, highlighting the incident as stark evidence of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Shahnawaz Alam, the national secretary of the Congress party, remarked, “Such a grave incident occurring in the Chief Minister’s home district clearly demonstrates that criminals operate without any fear of the police or the established law enforcement mechanisms. In the past, a CM’s district was considered a benchmark for peace and order. However, currently, the entire state is grappling with a law and order crisis, where anti-social elements seem to have complete freedom to act.”