6 cops hurt as protest turns violent; 250 detained

Tribune News Service

Rampura (Bathinda), June 20

At least six policemen and 12 Dalit protesters were injured in a clash at Paluwala chowk here this afternoon.

The incident took place during a protest under the leadership of BSP leader Kuldip Singh Sardulgarh. The protesters were demanding action in a case of murder. They alleged a Dalit girl of the area was killed by her husband Sukhchain Singh and his family members.

They first staged a dharna in front of Phul police station and then tried to shift their protest to the Bathinda-Chandigarh road. The police canecharged them and the protesters retaliated by pelting them with stones.

The protesters also allegedly damaged a police jeep. The police opened fire in the air and rounded up over 250 persons.

Manjit Singh, Station House Officer, Phul, said: “A case will be registered against the protesters. They injured our five men who have been admitted to the Civil Hospital in Rampura.”

BSP leader Bhupinder Singh alleged: “The police injured 12 Dalits who were protesting peacefully. The SHO himself got his jeep damaged to take action against us.”