VHP leader shot dead in Agra

A 40-year-old Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader was on Thursday shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was on his way to a temple at Meera Hussaini crossing here, police said.

Arun Mahaur, vice president of the city unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), was on his way to a nearby temple after opening his furniture shop at Meera Hussaini crossing when the accused fired at him, they said.

The leader died on the spot, Mantola police officials said, adding that the body has been sent for postmortem at S N Medical College.

A hunt is on for the suspects, they said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of activists of various Hindutva groups gathered at the hospital, shouted slogans and tried to block traffic.

The markets in the Nai ki Mandi area have been closed as a precautionary measure, police added.