16 cops hurt in Fatehabad

DSP critical after being hit on the head

Sixteen police personnel, including a female Station House Officer, were injured in a clash with Jat agitators in Fatehabad, Haryana, on Sunday afternoon.

One of the injured, Deputy Superintendent of Police Gurdial Singh, was hit on the head and is said to be critical. Several hundred protesters, who were allegedly waving weapons, were on their way to a dharna site when a police team flagged them down at Dhani Gopal in Fatehabad.

Police vehicles on fire

“The police told the agitators that they were not allowed to flash weapons since prohibitory orders were in place. While senior officers were in talks with the agitators, one of them allegedly hit the DSP on the head with a wooden object. The agitators then started throwing stones at the police, injuring over a dozen,” said Fatehabad Superintendent of Police O.P. Narwal.

The police then charged at the protesters and also used tear gas shells.

Two police vehicles were set on fire before the situation was brought under control after over 30 minutes.

He said a case had been registered but no arrests have been made.

Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti president Yashpal Malik, meanwhile, demanded an impartial probe into the incident and action against guilty officials.