Cops shoot dead youth by mistake

Angry over the boy’s death,locals assaulted both the policemen,causing critical injuries to the constable.

Rae Bareli SP Love Kumar said that constable Chhote Lal Dubey is in coma and has been shifted to KGMU Trauma centre in Lucknow while S-I OP Singh,who is in charge of the special operation group,is undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

He also said that the incident took place when the S-I and the constable chased two suspected chain-snatchers speeding away on a motorcycle. The suspects entered in Kesari Ka Purwa village in Lalganj area,left the motorcycle,and started running in the lanes.

While the S-I was chasing one suspect,the constable was after another.

The SP said constable Dubey shot at a 20-year-old boy Dharmendra Yadav,mistaking him to be one of the suspects. Angry villagers then attacked the constable.

The S-I reached the spot and tried to rescue Dubey,but he too was attacked by the mob. The people left the cops in a pool of blood when they both fell unconscious.

Officials along with a heavy police force rushed to the village and sent the injured cops to the hospital,Kumar said. The policemen have been suspended and a probe has been ordered into the matter,the SP said.