Kanpur Security Guard Murdered Over Bonfire Dispute

Kanpur: A heated argument over a bonfire turned fatal in Kanpur on Friday night when a security guard shot his colleague in the chest. The incident occurred at an under-construction degree college in Aurangpur Sambhi village, Bilhaur police jurisdiction, amid the ongoing severe winter cold in Uttar Pradesh.

Details of the Incident:
Security guards Nirmal Singh Chandel (aka Neeraj) and Aniruddh Dwivedi were on night duty along with other guards at the college. Around 2:30 AM, while warming themselves by a bonfire, a dispute broke out over the firewood. Aniruddh reportedly placed wood brought by Nirmal into the bonfire, prompting Nirmal to protest, saying, “Why are you burning the wood I brought? You never bring any yourself.” The disagreement escalated into verbal abuse and eventually a physical altercation.

In the scuffle, Aniruddh used his licensed double-barrel gun to shoot Nirmal in the chest. Nirmal collapsed, bleeding heavily. Other guards at the scene tried to restrain Aniruddh, who threatened to shoot them and fled toward a nearby forested area.

Medical Response and Family Impact:
Nirmal was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) where doctors declared him dead. His family, already struggling, was left in shock. Nirmal was the sole breadwinner for his family. His wife Pushpa, a cancer patient, and their 12-year-old daughter Tanishka depend entirely on him. For the past six months, due to her illness, Pushpa had been unable to work, making Nirmal’s support crucial.

Police Action:
Bilhaur Inspector Ashok Kumar Saroj confirmed that a murder case has been filed on the complaint of Nirmal’s younger brother Rohit Singh. The police are actively searching for the fugitive guard, Aniruddh Dwivedi, who remains at large.

The tragic incident highlights tensions even among security personnel and has left the community and Nirmal’s family devastated.