What the soil of Prayagraj witnessed on Saturday night would always have remained beyond the imagination of any democratic state. The killing of handcuffed mafia-turned-politician along with his brother in front of a dozen cameras seems like a blot on democracy and a question mark on law and order that will remain for ages to come.

Three attackers who seem to be juveniles, identified as Sunny, Lovelesh, and Arun killed Atiq and Ashraf Ahmed in a series of firing that went on for ten seconds without any pause while police remained still. Atiq was killed at point-blank range which seems almost impossible in such tight security.

Also read: “Main Baat Yeh Hai Ki…”, Gangster Atiq Ahmed’s Last Words Before Being Shot Dead; 5 Doctors Conducting Post Mortem

Videos of the incident are making rounds on social media when the attacker pushed the handcuffed mafia who was answering the questions from the media. A few moments before his killing, when asked what did he have to say on not being taken to his son Asad’s funeral, Atiq replied in an almost emotionless state – Nahi le gaye toh nahi gaye (they did not take us so we did not go).

The visuals are highly sensitive as they contain massive violence. Section 144 has been imposed in UP and police are doing a flag march in Husainabad of Lucknow. Cops are on high alert and vigorous patrolling happened in Mathura and Mau. The borders of Prayagraj have been sealed and internet service disrupted.