Uttarakhand: MLA Umesh Kumar, predecessor Pranav Champion in armed clash; shots fired

Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion

Two senior politicians in Uttarakhand - Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, a former MLA from Khanpur and BJP member, and Umesh Kumar, the independent MLA from the same constituency - engaged in a confrontation with loaded weapons on Sunday, as their supporters clashed, causing widespread fear and panic in the region.

Champion and Kumar have been bitter rivals since the 2022 state assembly polls.

Rao Imran, a member of Kumar's staff, allegedly sustained head injuries and was admitted to the hospital.

In the video that has evoked widespread condemnation, Champion, along with more than two dozen supporters, is seen storming the camp office-cum-residence of Kumar.

In a gang-war-style shootout, firing gunshots, heckling the MLA's staff, and beating up people, Champion can be seen loading an assault rifle, firing shots, and walking around Kumar's office.

In the video, he can be seen holding a rifle in one hand and a pistol in the other.

Before the police could arrive, Champion and his supporters left the spot, reported the Times of India.

Later in the day, Kumar's personal secretary, Zubair Kazmi, lodged a complaint against Champion at Roorkee's Civil Lines police station, alleging that around 100 rounds were fired. Seventy empty bullet casings had been recovered, the complaint filed by Kazmi said.

The ex-MLA and four of his supporters were later arrested from Dehradun.

A TOI report, quoting Doon SSP Ajai Singh, said that the accused were in the process of being handed over to Haridwar police, under whose jurisdiction the area falls.

Meanwhile, soon after the attack at his camp office, Umesh Kumar, who was not present during the altercation, reached the spot.

The situation further worsened when Kumar, amid sloganeering by his supporters against Champion, attempted to rush toward Champion’s residence, which is barely 300 meters away from his place, wielding a pistol. Only the police intervention could restrain Kumar physically.

Police officers had to intervene and restrain him physically.

The incident, coming barely days before the scheduled visit of PM Narendra Modi to attend the opening ceremony of the 38th national games in Dehradun on Tuesday, has stirred up the political environment in the hill state, where such brazen acts of violence among lawmakers are rarely seen.

The political rivalry between Champion and Kumar dates back to 2022 when Kumar wrested the Khanpur seat from the control of the BJP legislator.

Champion had represented the seat for four terms, and in 2022, he fielded his wife against Kumar.

After his arrest from Nehru Colony in Dehradun, Champion told media persons that he was forced to react since Kumar had "challenged him."

The two had frequently clashed in verbal exchanges on social media, in addition to battling each other in court.

Just a few days ago, Champion had posted a message calling Kumar "an illegitimate child."

In response, Kumar and his supporters stormed into Champion's ancestral home in Landaura, hurling insults and daring him to come out and face them.