Cop firing kills 2, probe ordered

The Madhya Pradesh government today announced that an Additional Chief Secretary rank officer would inquire into the death of two persons in...

The Madhya Pradesh government today announced that an Additional Chief Secretary rank officer would inquire into the death of two persons in police firing at Bandu tehsil of Sagar district on Tuesday while the Opposition Congress demanded removal of Jail Minister Harnam Singh Rathore from the Cabinet and a judicial probe into the matter.

Two persons, including an eight-year-old, were killed and five injured when police opened fire on a mob which had blocked the Sagar-Chhatrapur road demanding Rathore8217;s ouster. They claimed the minister8217;s relative, a few days back, had allegedly shot dead former MLA Makhan Singh Lodhi following a tiff over illegal mining in the tehsil. The protestors added that Rathore8217;s family members and relatives were carrying out illegal mining in Bandu tehsil and the district administration had failed to initiate any action against them. They also handed over a memorandum to an Additional Collector who was persuading them to lift the blockade. But the matter took an ugly turn when some protestors allegedly pelted stones at the police.

MoS for Home Jagdish Dewda said police was forced to open fire as the irate mob set some shops on fire. But the Congress seemed in no mood to accept the government8217;s version and Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi even sought an adjournment motion over the issue in the Assembly today.

Devi, who lead a Congress team to the tehsil late on Tuesday night, alleged that the police had opened unprovoked firing at the protestors. 8216;8216;The eight-year-old boy was on the terrace of his house when the bullet hit him. Clearly, the firing was indiscriminate and unprovoked,8217;8217; said Devi.

Congress demanded a judicial probe into the incident and Rathore8217;s removal from the Cabinet. 8216;8216;The firing had its roots in the murder of the former MLA by Rathore8217;s relative. The minister should be sacked,8217;8217; demanded senior Congress leader Satyadev Katare.

Denying the charges, Rathore sought to clarify his position in the Assembly. 8216;8216;I have had a soured relationship with my nephew who is involved in the shootout. He has been arrested and he should be punished if involved. Besides, I am open to any inquiry by any agency against me as regard to my family interests in illegal mining in the area,8217;8217; he said.

Chief Minister Babulal Gaur, while rejecting the Opposition demand for a judicial probe, announced inquiry by an ACS rank officer.