Villager killed, 3 cops injured as protest turns violent in Hisar

Tribune News Service

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, July 8

A villager was killed and a few persons, including three policemen, were injured as a protest demonstration of villagers turned violent at Khedar village in the district this evening.

The deceased farmer, Dharampal, 56, reportedly suffered head injuries in the incident. Superintendent of Police (SP) Lokender Singh said a tractor tried to speed away and hit four persons at the protest site. He said the protesters had assured the police that they would leave the site after handing over the memorandum of their demands to the Deputy Commissioner, but a tractor full of protesters proceeded towards the barricade without any provocation. The tractor breached the barricade and hit four persons, causing them serious injuries.

The injured cops were identified as sub-inspector Suresh Kumar and two constables Maneet and Sandeep. They were admitted to a Hisar hospital.

A video clip of the protest site circulated by the district administration showed the tractor running amok and hitting persons as it reached close to a police bus.

A farmer leader Suresh Koth alleged that the police had used brutal force by resorting to lathicharge and using teargas shells in which about 10 persons and some other persons are missing. He denied that the tractor had hit the villagers, stating that the police lathicharge had resulted in the death of Dharampal, while another protester was in a serious condition.

SP Lokender Singh stated that the tractor had breached a barricade and was being driven towards the railway track in a rash manner which ran over a civilian and three cops. He added that the police used water cannon and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mob after the incident. He said the police were in the process of registering a case in the incident.

Earlier in the day, residents of Khedar village, who were supported by farmers’ organisations, had given a call to block the railway tracks to the Khedar power plant. Led by the BKU leaders Gurnam Singh Charuni and Suresh Koth, the farmers announced to boycott three leaders, two Haryana ministers Ranjit Singh and Anoop Dhanak and Barwala MLA Jogi Ram Sihag.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Soni and SP reached the spot and the situation was under control, an official spokesperson said.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#Hisar