Etah- In a chilling display of escalating violence, Etah district in Uttar Pradesh witnessed two gruesome incidents on January 19, within hours of each other, both under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Nagar police station. The first was the brutal murder of four family members in broad daylight in Nagla Premi locality, where an elderly couple, their daughter-in-law, and granddaughter were bludgeoned to death inside their home. As per the latest update, the couple's son Kamal Singh has confessed to have committed the murders, though the reason for the same is yet to be disclosed.

The second involved a brazen arson attempt in Hindu Nagar, where two women were doused with petrol and set ablaze in a revenge attack over a rejected marriage proposal. These back-to-back atrocities have ignited fierce public outrage and political backlash, with Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad lambasting the state police for their "utter failure" in maintaining law and order.

In a scathing X (formerly Twitter) statement, Azad declared, "UP's law and order has completely collapsed under BJP rule, innocent families slaughtered in daylight, women burned alive, and the police nowhere to be seen. This is not governance; it's anarchy!" These events highlight a troubling pattern of unchecked crime in the state, prompting calls for immediate accountability and systemic reforms.

The first incident unfolded around midday on January 19, in the densely populated Nagla Premi locality of Etah city, a quiet residential area just a few kilometers from the district headquarters. What began as a routine afternoon turned into a blood-soaked nightmare when four members of the Singh family were discovered brutally murdered inside their two-storey concrete home. The victims, all related and residing together, were attacked with blunt objects likely bricks or heavy stones resulting in severe head injuries that caused instant death.

Ganga Singh (75 years old), the family patriarch, a retired farmer, was found on a cot in the ground-floor living room, his skull crushed beyond recognition. Neighbors described him as a mild-mannered man who spent his days tending to a small vegetable patch. Ganga's wife, Shyama Devi discovered in the adjacent kitchen with similar fatal blows to the head. She was reportedly preparing lunch at the time of the attack. Their daughter-in-law Ratna's body was found on the staircase, suggesting she may have attempted to flee or confront the intruders. Jyoti Singh, the youngest victim, Ganga and Shyama's granddaughter and a recent college graduate aspiring to become a teacher. She was found in an upstairs bedroom, her face and torso battered.

The gruesome discovery was made around 2:30 PM by the couple's 12-year-old son, who returned from school and found the front door ajar. Traumatized, the boy screamed for help, alerting neighbors who rushed in to find pools of blood staining the floors and walls.

The second incident occurred in Mohalla Hindunagar under Kotwali Nagar, where two women were doused with petrol and set on fire. The scorched women have been admitted to the medical college, with one of them reported to be in serious condition. A two-month-old innocent child who was present in the room at the time of the incident was rescued in time, which saved his life.

Condemning the incidents, the Bhim Army Chief stated, "These two incidents that surfaced on the same day clearly demonstrate that criminals in the state are riding high on morale, leaving ordinary citizens, women, and children feeling insecure. Daylight murders and attempts to burn women alive expose the grave failure of the government and administration."