Thaindian News

Lucknow, Sep 3 (IANS) Two lawyers were killed and five injured when lekhpals (revenue officials) opened fire during a clash with them in Uttar Pradesh?s Lakhimpur Kheri district Saturday, officials said. Thirtyfive lekhpals were detained.

Agitated over the killings, lawyers went on a rampage, vandalising government offices and setting several vehicles afire.

According to officials, the clash that took place in Mohammadi tehsil was linked to an old dispute between lawyers and lekhpals over registry of a land.

?Three-four days ago, a section of lawyers and lekhpals had a verbal duel regarding registry of some land. Today also, lawyers entered into a heated argument with lekhpals that snowballed into a major clash,” District Magistrate Rishikesh Bhaskar Yashod told IANS by phone from Lakhimpur Kheri, some 150 km from Lucknow.

?As tempers flared up, lekhpals opened fire killing two lawyers. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident,” he added.

According to police, a firearm used in the killings was confiscated.

?As many as 35 lekhpals have been detained in connection with the violence. Following further investigations, a FIR (first information report) with names would be lodged against those lekhpals directly involved in the killings,” Superintendent of Police Amit Chandra told IANS by phone.

In the wake of the violence, heavy security arrangements were made in parts of Lakhimpur Kheri district.

?Provincial Armed Constabulary and additional forces from various police stations have been deployed to prevent any fresh violence,” said Chandra.