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UP administration shocked by official's murder

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

The daylight murder of a top government official on Sunday has sent shock waves through state government officials in Uttar Pradesh. Dr Bachi Lal , UP's director general of family welfare , was on his usual morning walk when some unidentified assailants shot at him from point blank range, leaving him dead.

The incident occurred at 0600 hours (IST) in a posh residential area in the heart of the state capital a stone's throw away from the heavily guarded state police intelligence headquarters on Gokhale Marg.

"According to an eyewitness account, the two assailants came from behind and sprayed bullets on the 54-year old man, leaving him in a pool of blood," said Lucknow's police chief B B Bakshi.

He ruled out the involvement of any of the listed criminal gangs saying the assailants had used a country-made pistol. "The bigger gangs carry sophisticated automatic weapons or well known branded pistols and revolvers," he pointed out.

Lal had served in key administrative positions over the past few years. Rated as a forthright officer , he was not the type to succumb to undue pressures of any sort. His family members ruled out any personal enmity with anyone . They, however , suspect the hand of some drug suppliers , whom Lal was not willing to oblige with bulk orders.

In the case registered with the police by Lal's daughter, the needle of suspicion has been pointed towards 'some persons connected with the department'.

No arrests have been made so far. Bakshi told rediff.com, "we are on the job and are hopeful of making a major breakthrough very soon."

The sensational incident has sent shock waves in the entire state administration. Grave concern was being expressed over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state capital over the past few months , with murders , loot and burglary becoming an everyday affair. At least, three sensational murders were reported in Lucknow over the past two months.

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