Kanpur: What began as a celebration descended into chaos when miscreants waylaid a wedding procession and assaulted the groom and his relatives near Basela bus stand in Hamirpur on Thursday evening, allegedly over an old enmity.The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral. According to police, groom Munnilal, a farmer, of Jhinna Veera village, under Majhgawan police station limits, was travelling in a white four-wheeler with the ‘baraat’ when it was ambushed. The procession was en route to Imlaur village in Banda district when the attack occurred.According to the complaint and police account, about 15 people lying in ambush stopped the car roughly 30 km from the village, vandalised it, and dragged the groom out before beating him with sticks. The attackers also used batons and sharp-edged weapons. In around 20 seconds, nine of them allegedly struck more than 100 blows.Four people, including the groom, were seriously injured. Munnilal suffered severe head and body injuries, while his elder brother Jagdev Rajput was also critically hurt. His niece Rupali, 17, and Jagdev’s children Gagan, 6, and Amrita, 4, sustained injuries as well. The car was extensively damaged and left wrecked.On hearing the commotion, a crowd gathered, after which the accused fled. Police arrived after receiving information and admitted the injured to a hospital. After treatment, the groom left with his wedding procession for Banda around 9 pm.A written complaint alleges that Ambar, a resident of Kaitha village, arrived with 12–15 accomplices and attacked the car with axes and sticks, vandalising the vehicle.Injured Jagdev Rajput said the attack stemmed from an old enmity. The victim’s family also alleged that after the assault, the accused fled while brandishing a pistol and issuing death threats.Rath circle officer Rajeev Pratap Singh said they are identifying the perpetrators from the viral video and will ensure strict action.
