One dies,16 cops hurt in Karari

The Circle Officer (CO) of the Chayal circle,Sushil Kumar,15 other policemen and five other people suffered injuries as they tried to disperse the violent mob.

The Kaushambi Superintendent of Police (SP),Kripa Shanker Singh,said the clash among the villagers happened following a dispute between activists of a local organisation — Voice of People — and Kanaujia and his supporters over alleged irregularities in the NREGS work in the village. Acting on a complaint filed by Hari Lal’s wife,Shanti Devi,a case under sections 302 (murder),34,120-B of IPC and 3 (2) V clause of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act,1989 has been registered against Kanaujia,his son and two of his supporters.

Police later,arrested the accused Kanaujia,his son Thate and a supporter,Bassan. Another accused in the case,Nakkan,is yet to be arrested. Acting on a complaint by Kanaujia,the police also lodged an FIR against 22 persons and 500 others for torching his house and indulging into brick-batting. Four persons named as accused in the FIR have been arrested.

According to Singh,the altercation between Lal and Kanaujia turned violent as supporters from both sides indulged into brick-batting. Meanwhile,Kanaujia’s associate,Nakkan,fired at Lal,killing him on the spot. Later,Lal’s supporters reached Kanaujia’s house,assaulted his family members and set his house on fire,he said. The police team,led by Sushil Kumar,rushed to the scene,but they too had to face the villagers’ ire. The locals indulged into heavy brick-batting causing injuries to Kumar and 15 other policemen. The additional police force,along with a PAC team,rushed to the spot. The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the violent mob,said Singh. Heavy police force has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident,Singh said.