Tragic death! NEET aspirant killed by cattle smugglers in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur

In a tragic incident, a 19-year-old student was allegedly killed by suspected cattle smugglers in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

The victim has been identified as Deepak Gupta, who was preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

The incident occurred in Jungledhusar village of Gorakhpur on the night of 16 September, when cattle smugglers entered the village. When Deepak tried to chase them away, they allegedly fired at him.

On Monday night, around 10–12 cattle smugglers in three vehicles arrived at Mauachapi village to loot cattle from a godown belonging to Deepak’s family.

After being alerted by a cousin, Deepak rushed to the spot on his scooter along with 10–15 villagers. A confrontation broke out, during which the smugglers overpowered him, forcibly took him inside a goods vehicle, and later killed him before dumping his body several kilometres away, The Times of India reported.

Following the incident, violent protests erupted in the area on Tuesday.

Villagers claimed that Deepak was shot dead. However, police said the smugglers kicked him, causing him to fall and sustain a fatal head injury.

“People are claiming that firing took place, but prima facie it does not appear that any injury has been caused by firing,” SSP Raj Karan Nayyar told India Today.

The police have formed five teams to nab the accused.

“Our operation is underway in the village. Five teams are working on this case. Any further action will be shared with the public. Officers also visited the spot, during which some policemen were injured. Those who sustained injuries are being treated. Additional police forces have been deployed,” Nayyar added.

According to the police, three vehicles carrying suspected cattle smugglers entered the village around 12:30 a.m. After noticing them untying cattle, villagers raised an alarm. Deepak chased them, after which he was allegedly shot.

Later, his body was found near Saraiya village, about four kilometres from his residence.

Enraged villagers intercepted one of the smuggling vehicles and set it on fire. One suspect was chased down and beaten.

On Tuesday morning, the agitation escalated as villagers blocked the Gorakhpur–Pipraich road.

Traffic on the main road was disrupted for several hours.

They also pelted stones at the police, leaving Superintendent of Police (North) Jitendra Srivastava and Pipraich station in-charge Purushottam injured.

Security personnel from four police stations, along with a Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) unit, were deployed at the protest site to control the situation.