Man climbs 70-ft tower in support of slain inspector's family

Lakhimpur Kheri: A youth on Friday climbed a 70-feet high mobile tower here demanding justice for the slain sub-inspector Manoj Mishra's family, who was shot dead by alleged cattle smugglers last month.

The youth, identified as Ravindra Azad of Shahjahanpur, climbed the tower in Lagucha village here this afternoon.

He was later brought down and arrested for violating peace and order, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Alok Kumar Verma told PTI.

Manoj Mishra, the sub-inspector and resident of Hardaspur village under Kheri Town, died after being shot by alleged cattle smugglers on September 9 while he was posted at Faridpur police station in Bareilly district.

Later, the Bareilly police arrested the accused and the government awarded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to Mishra's family.

However, Mishra's father and other family members expressed dissatisfaction over the action and demanded a CBI probe into his murder after they suspected "conspiracy" behind his incident.

The family members also demanded adequate compensation, besides job for the family members.

The murder had taken a political hue when VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi reached Hardaspur recently and supported the family's demands.

A delegation of VHP leaders alongwith Manoj's father Shyam Murari Mishra had called on Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik to press for CBI probe.

BJP MP Varun Gandhi also during his personal visit to Kheri yesterday called on Manoj's brother and assured them of all help for CBI probe.