Ballia, Uttar Pradesh: A shocking incident of violence shook Raghopur village in Ballia district late Thursday night when a shopkeeper was shot dead allegedly following a dispute over the purchase of goods. Police said that swift action led to the arrest of five accused persons within hours of the crime after an encounter with law enforcement, during which two of the suspects sustained bullet injuries to their legs.

According to officials, the incident occurred around 10 pm on Thursday in Raghopur village under the jurisdiction of Rasra police station. The victim, identified as Santosh Singh alias Bagi, was a resident of Belsadi village in neighbouring Ghazipur district and had been living in Raghopur for work. Singh ran a small grocery shop in the village, which served as his primary source of livelihood.

Police said that Singh had closed his shop for the night and was returning home when he was allegedly intercepted by the accused. An argument reportedly broke out over a dispute related to the purchase of goods earlier in the day. The altercation soon escalated, culminating in Singh being shot at close range with a country-made pistol.

Singh sustained two gunshot wounds — one to the head and another to the abdomen — and collapsed on the spot. Villagers who heard the gunshots rushed to the scene and found him lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to a nearby medical facility, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Rasra Circle Officer (CO) Alok Gupta said the victim’s body was sent for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and collect forensic evidence. The police immediately launched an investigation after receiving information about the murder.

Based on a written complaint filed by the deceased’s son, Aditya Singh, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Praveen Singh, a resident of Shekhanpur village in Ghazipur district, along with two unidentified accomplices. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which covers offences related to murder, criminal conspiracy, and use of illegal firearms.

Senior police officials said that multiple teams were formed to track down the accused, who had fled the scene after the shooting. Acting on intelligence inputs and local surveillance, a Rasra police team began combing the area during the night and early morning hours.

Around 5 am on Friday, police personnel spotted a group of five individuals moving suspiciously on motorcycles and attempted to stop them for questioning. According to the police, the suspects opened fire at the police team in an attempt to escape. In response, the police resorted to retaliatory firing, following standard operating procedures.

During the brief encounter, two of the accused — identified as Manjeet Singh alias Om Singh of Madhi village and Sandeep Singh alias Golu Singh of Khajurgaon — sustained bullet injuries to their left legs. The remaining three suspects were overpowered and arrested at the spot.

The injured accused were immediately taken to the district hospital under police guard, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable, police said.

The five arrested individuals were identified as Manjeet Singh alias Om Singh, Sandeep Singh alias Golu Singh, Atul Singh alias Babbu Singh, Prabhat Singh alias Bunty, and Praveen Singh alias Golu. All except two hail from Shekhanpur village in Ghazipur district, indicating that the accused were known to each other and may have acted in coordination.

During the arrest, police recovered three motorcycles, a country-made pistol, and live cartridges from the possession of the accused. The seized weapons have been sent for forensic examination to establish their use in the murder of Santosh Singh.

CO Alok Gupta said that preliminary investigation suggests the murder was triggered by a dispute over the purchase of goods from the victim’s shop, although the exact nature of the disagreement is still being probed. “All angles are being examined, including personal enmity and prior altercations. We are also investigating whether the accused had planned the attack in advance,” Gupta said.

Police officials are questioning the arrested accused to ascertain the sequence of events leading up to the murder, the role played by each individual, and whether any other persons were involved. Further arrests have not been ruled out.

The incident has sent shockwaves through Raghopur village and nearby areas, where residents expressed fear and anger over the brutal killing. Locals described Santosh Singh as a hardworking shopkeeper who maintained cordial relations with most villagers. Many residents demanded strict punishment for those responsible and increased police patrolling to ensure safety.

Family members of the deceased are in a state of shock. Aditya Singh, who lodged the complaint, said his father had no major disputes with anyone and was targeted over a trivial issue. “My father worked honestly to support our family. He did not deserve such a brutal death over a small argument,” he said.

The police have assured the family that the case will be investigated thoroughly and a chargesheet will be filed swiftly. Senior officers said that the encounter and arrests reflect the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice without delay.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the area to prevent any retaliatory violence or unrest. Additional police forces have been deployed in Raghopur village and surrounding localities as a precautionary measure.

The incident once again highlights the growing concern over the use of illegal firearms in rural areas and the deadly consequences of minor disputes escalating into violent crimes. Authorities have reiterated the need for stricter action against the illegal manufacture and circulation of country-made weapons.

Further investigation is underway, and police said more details will emerge as the probe progresses.