Villagers and cops clash,hawker killed,SP injured

The villagers torched the Bamrauli police post,besides setting afire vehicles parked inside the premises,including that of the police post in-charge,the police said. The busy GT Road — from Allahabad to Kanpur — remained blocked for hours.

Superintendent of Police (City) Shailesh Kumar Yadav and a Circle Officer sustained serious head injuries. The villagers looted the AK-47 from the SP’s gunner. More than a dozen policemen were injured. Additional forces were deployed to bring the situation under control. Till evening,the police were talking to the villagers to pacify them.

The police said that the false news of a villager being killed by a police bullet sparked the violence.

According to the police,constables Sanjay Singh and Sujeet Rai posted at Begum Bazar police post under Dhoomanganj police station had gone to serve summons in connection with a court case to one Mohammad Tufail alias Zhurri,a resident of Mariadih village,around noon.

“Apparently,there was an altercation,and the villagers alleged that Sanjay opened fire. However,Tufail sustained only minor injuries on his thigh and was rushed to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital,where his condition was reported to be out of danger,” said a police officer.

However,Mariadih village came to know that Tufail had died,following which the villagers became restive. They blocked GT Road and began throwing stones at the policemen. Additional forces were sent in but could not control the mob.

Mohammad Faiz,a resident of Rasoolpur locality in Mariadih,who used to sell bread and biscuits on his moped,got caught in the violence. “He was on his moped when he sustained gunshot injuries. He was rushed to SRN Hospital,where he was declared brought dead,” said SP (Crime),Arun Kumar Pandey.

The villagers then went on rampage. “Apart from SP (City),the Circle Officer of the area concerned and many policemen,including sub-inspectors,have been injured. A few of them have been brought to SRN Hospital. But many of them have been admitted in nearby hospitals and private nursing homes,” said Pandey.

Pandey and other senior officials were monitoring the situation,as SSP Naveen Arora was in Lucknow to attend law and order meeting.

While the police maintained that initially an altercation between the constable and Tufail ultimately led to the violence,there were reports that the two were acquainted with each other and had fought over monetary issues. “We are trying to bring the situation under control. The exact reason for what led to the violence is yet to be ascertained,” said Pandey.