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Arrests trigger violence
3 cops hurt; schools closed in Jhajjar
Our Correspondent

Jhajjar, November 13
At least three policemen, including a DSP, and some villagers, were injured in clashes between the police and the villagers, following the arrest of five persons in connection with the lynching of five Dalits near Surha village on the Gurgaon road here this evening.

The sources said DSP Prem Singh Saini received an injury on his head when someone from the mob attacked him with a “jaili”. An ASI and a Havildar were also injured when the mob resorted to heavy stone throwing. In retaliation the police lathi-charged the gathering. Some villagers are also reported to be injured in the cane-charge. Three persons were arrested in this connection. According to latest reports, the police has succeeded in despersing the mob and clearing all roads of blockages.

While, the injured DSP, ASI and Havildar were referred to the PGIMS at Rohtak, no villager victim of the cane-charge was admitted in the civil hospital, apparently to avoid police action. An uneasy calm seems to prevail in the town and nearby villages.

Official sources said the five accused arrested under Section 302 of the IPC had been identified as Ramesh and Mahavir, both sons of Kaliram, Rajbir, son of Maya Ram, Surender, son of Sahiram, Sombir, son of Attar Singh, all from Suhra village situated near Dulina village.

As news of the arrest spread, people from nearby villages started gathering at different points. Jhajjar town wore a deserted look in the morning as almost 90 per cent of the shops remained closed. According to sources, all roads leading to the town were blocked except the Rohtak-Jhajjar road.

The Deputy Commissioner maintained that people gathered at four points and blocked vehicular traffic near Suhra on the Jhajjar-Gurgaon road, near Silani on the Rewari road and near Jahangirpur on the Badli road. He added that the number of people touched 2000 at one stage near Suhra village, but by evening the gathering was around 200 to 300. The sources added that the Bahadurgarh and Badli roads were also blocked.

The atmosphere at the gathering points was charged. Raising slogans like Gaumata ki Jai, they warned that if anyone was made a scapegoat for the Dulina killings, they would not tolerate it.

According to reports, the gathering started hurling stones at the police at one of the gathering points. The ADC, the SDM, the DSP were present there with a large police contingent but the situation was under control, said the DC.

The administration has invoked Section 144, CrPC, in the town and closed all schools and other educational institutions till November 15.