Police firing in Banda, 2 killed, 20 cops injured
SAGAR:
Banda remained closed even on the third day in protest against
the murder committed by Jail and Labour Minister Harnam Singh
Rathore's kin following the dispute over the issue of stone
mining dispute. The people staged dharna and chakkajam demanding
dismissal of the minister. People pelted stones following which
the police fired 11 rounds in which two persons, including a
child, were killed and two others were injured. According to
unconfirmed sources the number of injured is about a dozen. About
20 cops have also been wounded. Curfew has been clamped in Banda
and shoot at sight orders have been issued.
On March 13 Jail Minister's kin Dharmendra Rathore had shot dead
former MLA Shivraj Singh's brother Makhan Lodhi. Immediately
after the incident the shops of Banda had closed. Accused Banty
and Saleem were arrested and sent to jail. Banda remained totally
closed even on March 14 and the traffic remained blocked for
hours on Sagar-Nagpur National Highway for several hours. Large
numbers of people participated in the funeral procession of
deceased Makhan.
Heavy police force was deployed in the area soon after the
incident. On Tuesday, thousands of people staged chakkajam at the
National Highway demanding dismissal of the Jail Minister. At
about 1.30 pm, additional collector ZU Sheikh and additional SP
BP Chandravanshi obtained memo from the agitating people.
Immediately after this the agitated people pelted stones on the
vehicles of the officials and burnt the effigy of the Jail
Minister. After about 10 minutes the police reached the spot with
anti-riot vehicle 'Vajra.' The police warning had no effect on
the people.
Police began firing in the air. In the firing six-year-old boy
Honey alias Aniket was killed, while his father Rajendra Gupta
received bullet injury. Rajendra Gupta has been admitted in the
hospital.
The people were even more agitated and reached the police station
at a distance of about one kilometer and started pelting stones.
Here also the police opened fire in which a youth Pappu Lodhi was
killed and another Umesh yadav was injured. Senior police and
administrative officials including Commissioner RR Gangarekar had
reached the spot. The situation was reported to be tense.
Magisterial inquiry into the incident has been ordered.
Chronicle News Service