Boy killed, several injured in firing over sermons at dera

A dera chief allegedly shot a 13-year-old Dalit boy following spats over religious sermons.

A dera chief allegedly shot a 13-year-old Dalit boy following spats over religious sermons. The killing led to violence, rioting and arson for almost five hours, injuring several policemen and a Dalit woman.

The incident took place at Dera Baba Budh Das in Baloki village under Mehatpur police station.

While heavy police force had to be deployed at the dera, senior district and police officials, including Deputy Commissioner AS Pannu and SSP Pawan Rai, too, rushed there.

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A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident and SHO Mehatpur has been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty. The SSP said senior police officials reached the spot late as they were not informed in time about the situation.

Enquiries revealed that Baba Gursharan Das on Tuesday allegedly used derogatory remarks against sage Valmiki in his ‘pravachan’ (preachings) session that agitated the Dalits. An altercation ensued and a person allegedly slapped the baba, who opened fire. One of the bullets hit a Dalit boy, Mani, who was standing nearby.

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