Death of a fair price shop owner led to violence in Pratapgarh, when agitated villagers torched the house of the local pradhan (village head) and also attacked the police and fire department personnel who went to defuse the situation, on Wednesday afternoon. The agitated villagers also reportedly opened fire at the police team and situation was tense but reportedly under control at the time of filing the report.
Senior police officer including zonal IG and range DIG also reached the spot along with a company of Provincial Armed Constabulary and were present on the spot to monitor law and order situation. Over two dozen persons were reportedly injured in the violence.
Reports said that body of a 35-year-old man was recovered near Sai river in Khumbhapur here on Wednesday morning. The deceased, identified as Ramesh Verma, who was owning a fair price shop in the area reportedly consumed poison to commit suicide. The local residents claimed that the village pradhan, identified as Shankar lal aka Nannai Jaiswal, was indulged in corruption and demanded money for releasing quota which disturbed the victim following which he ended his life. later agitated with the killing, hundred of villagers attacked the pradhan’s house and after they found him absconding, they set his house ablaze.
Reports further said that the local police who reached the spot till then tried to intercept but they were chased away by the angry mob. The Fire Department personnel, who reached to douse the fire were also attacked and forced to leave the place. later more police force and senior officers reached the spot and fought pitch battle with the villagers with both the parties pelting stones and also opening fire at each other. The mob also damaged several passing vehicles in the process and demanded immediate arrest of the accused. Sources said that after about four hours of clash, the situation cooled down but tension still prevailed in the area. local police also registered a case and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile in Hapur also, over five dozen women created ruckus in the collectrate when they ransacked the office of district magistrate as well as his staff and also assaulted an Additional District Magistrate, on Wednesday morning. The agitated women were demanding arrest of accused in a dowry harassment case.
Reports said that a case of dowry harassment was registered against one Vijay, a resident of Pilkuha, with the local police station in Hapur. However, as the cops not make arrest of the accused so agitated with the police role, over five dozen women suddenly attacked the DM office on Wednesday morning. They reportedly broke down the furniture and other items and when a ADM tried to intervene, they assaulted him. When the cops tried to use force to disperse the women, they sat on dharna. The women were adamant that they would only leave the office after the accused would be arrested. Sources also said that a dozen of women were arrested later in the evening for creating ruckus and assaulting a senior government officer.