A truck driver was killed in an exchange of fire between the police and the locals at Patakpur village in Nuh on Tuesday. The villagers allegedly attacked an Uttarakhand Police team to prevent the arrest of an accused in a burglary case.
The victim has been identified as Sahib (23), a resident of Naheda village.
Murder case
The Nuh police said a case was registered against unidentified people on charges of murder in this connection.
The locals held a panchayat in Punahana on Wednesday, accusing the police of the murder. They sought action against them. The panchayat also demanded compensation for the deceased and decided not to bury the body until their demands were met.
The FIR stated that an Uttarakhand Police team along with the Nuh police carried out a raid at the house of Sabbir in Patakpur village on Tuesday evening to arrest him in connection with a case of trespassing and theft registered at Dehradun.
On seeing the police, the accused ran to the fields on the outskirts of the village, but was caught. Soon, a large mob, including women, attacked the police with bricks, stones, sticks and other weapons. Sabbir managed to free himself in the ruckus. However, the police caught him again.
The FIR also stated that the mob attacked the police again and fired around two dozens of shots. The police fired in the air in self-defence. While the police were leaving the spot, they found Sahib seriously injured and took him to a hospital. He died later. Meanwhile, Sabbir managed to escape.
Nuh Superintendent of Police Nazneen Bhasin said: “The public of Patakpur and relatives of the criminal assaulted the police and tried to free the criminal. A person named Sahib, a Meo Muslim, died in the firing. Prima facie it is hard to say whether the fatal shot was fired by the police or the criminal. An FIR has been lodged. Investigation will proceed fast.”
FIR registered
A FIR has also been registered on charges of attempt to murder and under the Arms Act in connection with the attack on the police. More than 30 people have been named in the FIR.
Former Transport Minister Aftab Ahmed said the panchayat demanded registration of a case against the police on charges of murder and action against those responsible.
Mr. Ahmed alleged that Sahib died in police firing and the police had conceded in the FIR that they had opened fire. He further said that Sahib was innocent and had come to the village to hire a helper for his truck.
