Lucknow, October 19: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday issued a statement on the murder of former Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari, stating that all culprits involved in his assassination would be cracked down. Adityanath said the murder is an organised act to spread terror and panic in the society, adding that his government would not allow the miscreants to succeed with their ploy. Kamlesh Tiwari Murder Case: UP DGP OP Singh Says Police Solved Case in 24 Hours, 5 Detained.

"This murder is an act to push the society into terror. Our government will not allow the society to be gripped under fear and panic," Adityanath said, adding that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to crackdown on all those involved.

"Investigators are swiftly probing the matter and tracing the suspects. The SIT will crackdown on all the culprits. No one will be spared," said Adityanath, hours after the deceased Hindutva leader's family said they would not cremate his body till the Chief Minister pays them a visit.

Watch Video of Yogi Adityanath Speaking on Kamlesh Tiwari's Murder:

At least five accused have been arrested so far for their alleged role in the murder of Tiwari. Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Rasheed Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) have been arrested from Gujarat by the State Anti-Terrorism Squad, whereas, Mufti Naeem Kazmi and Imam Maulana Anwarul Haq have been detained from Bijnor.

Tiwari, who heads the Hindu Samaj Party, had stoked a controversy in 2015 when he issued blasphemous statements against the Prophet of Islam. He was jailed by the then Akhilesh Yadav government, but was later released after the NSA was revoked against him.

The 43-year-old was murdered on Friday afternoon by two accused -- who are yet to be nabbed -- by entering his house in Naka Hindola neighbourhood. They slit his throat before firing rounds at him. Prima facie, the murder appears to be an act of retribution for his "derogatory" remarks against the Prophet. The exact cause of the crime, however, is yet to be determined.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 19, 2019 04:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).