Residents gherao the Shahkot police station in Shahkot. Photo by writer

Shahkot, February 23
Accusing Shahkot police of shielding a murder accused, hundreds of residents came out in support of the bereaved family of the woman today. Agitating residents also laid a siege on National Highway 703 and gheraoed the police station. Traffic remained blocked for two hours as a result.

Relatives of the deceased claimed that the police was in hand in glove with the accused and despite the fact that the accused had been seen in the city, the police had not arrested him.

Victim’s relatives also alleged that the police had also manhandled the sister of the deceased today. Residents also demanded an apology from the constable who had allegedly mistreated a woman. The constable later tendered an apology.

Parmod Kumar, the victim’s father alleged that this afternoon, sister of the accused Kailash Nath alias Goldy opened his house at Mohalla Gandhi Chowk and too in the presence of the police. The victim’s relatives reached the spot and tried to stop it.

The victim’s father said while they were objecting to the move, the constable in the presence of SHO manhandled the woman and pushed him behind forcibly.

Angry over the move, people started pelting the police van with stones.

Meanwhile, several supporters of the deceased gheraoed the police station and asked the accused constable to tender an apology.

Crowd also demanded an apology from the SHO. When the SHO came out to tender an apology, someone allegedly threw a brick towards the police personel and the crowd went out of control but no one was injured. Later, enraged residents also pelted stones the police station with stones.

The situation became tense when the agitating residents tried to barge inside the police station but scores of police personnel stationed in front of the police station stopped them.

Lakhwinder Singh Mall, SHO Shahkot police said the police has been conducting raids to arrest the accused. SHO said the police authorities of various districts have been alerted in this regard.

Following an apology by the police and an assurance from the police, the residents lifted the protest.

Tarn Taran, February 23
Three persons were injured in a firing incident at Thatha village last late evening when a group of as many as 20 armed accused allegedly tried to take over the Shamlat land measuring two acres, which was under the possession of Kar Sewa Sect, Sarhali.

Two cars, a tractor-trolley and some agriculture implements were burnt when the villagers tried to stop the accused from taking over the land. The Harike police ha registered a case under Section 307, 324, 323, 336, 427, 506, 148, 149 IPC, 25,27,54,59 of the Arms Act against the accused.

The injured Heera Singh, Jagtar Singh and Sultan Singh have been admitted to Community Health Centre, Sarhali, where their condition is stated to be out of danger. Sources said the accused Chanan Singh, his son Dharam Singh of Thathi Sohal village, Ravi, Karan, Harman of Shahbazpur village and seven other accused have been arrested while the remaining are absconding.

Sources said the accused were armed with revolvers, swords, lathies etc. When the villagers tried to stop them, they opened fire on them.

The Harike police reached the spot and arrested the accused.

The city police has recovered the body of an unidentified mentally retarded migrated person moving in the area since the last may years.

The body was recovered near the Maulsory Palace on the local bye-pass.

A report under section 174 Cr.P.C. has been lodged by the city police.

Post-mortem of the body was conducted at the local civil hospital today.