Two back-to-back murders within 24 hours in the Kamalapur police station area of Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh, have triggered widespread panic among local residents. The killings — one on a national highway and another inside a village — are being investigated separately, with police confirming one accused is already in custody.

The Axe Attack in Sujaulia Village

On Friday morning, a 60-year-old woman identified as Ramdevi, wife of the late Shriram, was killed with an axe in Sujaulia village. According to preliminary information, the accused — Pradeep, also known as Samdu — reportedly emerged from his house, climbed over a wall, and attacked his neighbour Deepu's wife, Sarojini, with an axe. When Ramdevi intervened to help Sarojini, the accused turned on her, striking her with the weapon. She sustained severe injuries and died on the spot.

A written complaint was subsequently filed by a resident named Bhola. Local residents told police that the accused was reportedly mentally unstable and had not left his home for several years. Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Durgesh Kumar Singh confirmed that the accused had a history of alleged drug addiction and was taken into custody for questioning. Singh added that the situation at the scene was under control and law and order had been maintained.

Station House Officer Itul Chaudhary arrived at the scene with a police team and took the accused into custody. Circle Officer Sidhauli Ved Prakash Srivastava also inspected the crime scene. A forensic team was subsequently deployed to collect evidence, and arrangements were made to send Ramdevi's body for a post-mortem examination.

The Highway Killing in Ludhaura Village

The Sujaulia incident came just a day after a separate murder in the same police station jurisdiction. On Thursday, Manoj, 35, was stopped and beaten with sticks on the National Highway near Ludhaura village. He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kasmanda for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Following Manoj's death, his family accused approximately half a dozen villagers of carrying out the attack, alleging the assault was rooted in an old rivalry. Police have initiated a formal investigation into the incident based on the family's complaint.

Police Response and Investigation

Although the two cases involve entirely different circumstances and accused, both have drawn simultaneous police attention within a compressed timeframe. Senior officers are examining available evidence and other relevant details to establish the exact circumstances of each killing and determine responsibility. Police officials confirmed that investigations into both murders are underway.

The twin killings have intensified demands among Kamalapur area residents for stronger patrolling and faster closure of the cases. How swiftly authorities can build prosecutable cases in both incidents will be closely watched in the coming days.