UP trader's murder: Ajay Rai detained on way to meet victim's family, calls action 'oppression'

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai was detained by Barabanki Police on Saturday while he was on his way to meet the family members of utensils trader Vinod Kumar Sahni, whose death in Gonda has triggered political outrage and protests.

Rai was stopped by police near the Shahpur toll plaza after arriving in the area with his convoy.

According to the information available, police detained the State Congress President at around 12:34 p.m. on Saturday and subsequently took his convoy to the police station.

Rai was reportedly travelling with around six vehicles when the police action took place near the toll plaza, leading to a stir in the area.

After detaining Rai, the police also took the vehicles accompanying him to the police station.

Rai had arrived near the Shahpur toll plaza on Saturday afternoon as he was proceeding to meet the family members of Vinod Kumar Sahni.

Speaking to IANS, Ajay Rai strongly objected to the police action and accused the Uttar Pradesh government of deliberately targeting the Congress.

"This is complete oppression and injustice taking place here. And this (Bharatiya Janata Party) government is deliberately getting it done. Understand this, we are going to express our condolences at the house of the deceased trader, and we are being stopped."

Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad also staged a sit-in protest at the King George's Medical University mortuary in Lucknow late Thursday evening over the death of party worker Vinod Sahni.

"A Minister sits on a dharna. If the Minister has even a little morality, then resign. Resign from the Ministerial post and come and fight with us, fight together. We will uproot the government. If they have stopped us, it means they are arresting us," Rai said.

The detention comes amid growing outrage over the death of utensils trader Vinod Kumar Sahni in Gonda district. According to police, Vinod was attacked following a dispute over a social media post.

Vinod sustained serious injuries in the attack and was undergoing treatment at Lucknow's KGMU. However, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. Following his death, police added murder charges to the case and arrested three accused persons.

Meanwhile, Congress workers gathered at the police station premises and displayed posters carrying the message "Justice for Vinod Sahni" while raising slogans against the Uttar Pradesh government.

The Congress workers also raised slogans against the administration as part of their protest over the detention of their State party President and the death of Vinod.

Vinod's death has already triggered political tensions in the state, as several political leaders demanded strict action against those responsible for the attack.

Minister and Nishad Party President Sanjay Nishad, Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahni and Samajwadi Party Backwards Class Cell State President Rajpal Kashyap had staged a protest outside KGMU in Lucknow.

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