Gorakhpur: A nine-year-old boy was beaten to death and his 15-year-old cousin critically injured after they were allegedly attacked by a group of men in the Pipraich area on Saturday night, following a dispute over the alleged harassment of a teenage girl from their family. Following the incident, the SSP suspended the Pipraich SHO and an inspector.The deceased, a Class IV student and resident of Araji Basdila in the AIIMS police station area, had been living with his maternal aunt in a village under Pipraich since his mother died five years ago. His cousin is undergoing treatment at BRD Medical College.According to police, tension had been simmering between the two sides following allegations that a female relative of the victims was harassed by a local youth, Sikandar Sahani.On Saturday night, the boys were on their way to a paan shop when they were intercepted near Bela crossing by members of the rival group, who allegedly assaulted them with sticks, iron rods and bricks.Officials said the attack occurred days after a panchayat settled the issue.The incident triggered tension in the village, prompting the deployment of additional police personnel. SSP Kaustubh suspended Pipraich SHO Vivek Trivedi and inspector Anjani Tiwari.Police have registered a murder case against Sikandar Sahani and eight others—Hari, Rahul, Sandeep, Vikas, Ratneshwar, Manoj, Roshan and Vijay, all residents of Bela Sahwa Tola.CO Chauri Chaura Kundan Singh said raids were underway to arrest the accused.
