Maharashtra: Man killed in clash between 2 groups in Dhule district, 5 held

Speaking to The Indian Express, an eyewitness said he was sitting with Asrar in the latter’s house around 7.30 pm on Sunday when Asrar went to a grocery store. “While returning, he saw that two people — Sagar Khairnar and Nilesh Bhadane — were molesting two minor girls,” the 24-year-old told police.

Asrar reportedly confronted the duo after which Khairnar and Bhadane took him to an under-construction plot nearby.

“Khairnar had a stick in hand while Bhadane was assaulting him with an iron rod. When Maniyaar and Imran saw Asrar being beaten up, they intervened,” said the eyewitness. “Following this, Khairnar’s father Anil and two others, identified as Satish Jadhav and Yogesh Khairnar, also joined in,” according to his statement to the police.

“Suddenly, Yogesh and Jadhav held Maniyaar’s hands while Khairnar and Bhadane assaulted him with a stick and iron rod during which they happened to hit him on his head injuring him seriously. Maniyaar fell to the floor. Asrar was also lying on the ground and had blood on his face. So I went to the spot, picked him up and rushed him to a nearby hospital. When he told me that he wanted to go to the police station, I took him there,” the witness added.

Meanwhile, the eyewitness and Asrar got a call from a local informing them that Maniyaar, who was also taken to a hospital, had died. Asrar and his uncle Imran are recuperating in a hospital.

A case of murder and common intention have been registered.

Superintendent of Police Pravinkumar Patil (Dhule) confirmed the development and said, “The roles of five people were identified and they were arrested under the charges of murder.”

An official from the police station where the case was registered said that Khairnar and Bhadane have also been booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354 (A) (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code along with relevant sections of Protection of Children under Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly molesting two minor girls.

The incident led to some communal tension in the district due to which police bandobast was appointed at almost every juncture of Dhule.

Patil said the law and order situation in Dhule district was now under control, adding that adequate police force has been deputed in the area to keep a watch on “mischief makers”.

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