Muktsar villagers protest thrashing of shopkeeper by policemen

A large number of Doda village residents staged a protest outside the local police post and blocked the Muktsar-Bathinda highway, demanding the registration of a case against two policemen who allegedly thrashed a shopkeeper on Tuesday night.

The victim, Rajinder, sustained injuries and was admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The protesters alleged that policemen had demanded bribe from them during Diwali celebrations and had been harassing shopkeepers.

“I had refused to pay money to them and they took me to the police post, where two policemen thrashed and threatened me,” said Rajinder. Gidderbaha DSP Arun Mundan on Wednesday said, “Some people were bursting crackers on the road on Diwali night. One man was rounded up by the police party while others fled. Later, some people reached the police post and admitted their mistake. However, some mischievous elements later tried to disturb the situation.”

Meanwhile, a large number of police personnel were deployed as a preventive measure. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the incident and sought action against the police personnel.

The protesters dispersed after the DSP assured them that the action would be taken within two days after probe.