LUCKNOW, April 4 -- The recent release of rival mafia figures Udham Singh Karnawal and Yogesh Bhadauria has triggered fears of a fresh gang war in Western Uttar Pradesh. Police officials said the early signs of a renewed turf battle emerged following the killing of gangster Ashu alias Monty in an encounter.

The police and Special Task Force (STF) probe into Ashu's killing in Moradabad on Wednesday night revealed that the hitman of the Udham gang was allegedly raising funds, arranging weapons and rebuilding local muscle power to revive the long-running and violent rivalry between the two gangs.

The threat perception has sharply escalated after Udham Singh Karnawal was released on bail from Unnao jail on March 25, while rival gang leader ...