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