'Cops were mute spectators'

Even a battalion of 200 armed police personnel, including the anti-riot force, could not avert a gory incident in Hyatpur village where a mob burnt alive a contract killer who was fleeing after shooting the sarpanch on Thursday.

Even a battalion of 200 armed police personnel, including the anti-riot force, could not avert a gory incident in Hyatpur village where a mob burnt alive a contract killer who was fleeing after shooting the sarpanch on Thursday.

HT Image

According to police, sarpanch Rakesh Yadav (32) and the alleged mastermind, also Rakesh, had an old feud and the former had approached the police seeking protection as he feared for his life.

Two assailants struck when Yadav was playing cards outside his house around 2pm.

"Two men on a bike, carrying two revolvers each, opened fire on my son, killing him on the spot. One more fellow villager was injured too. The main accused hired contract killers and was spotted waiting for them in his WagonR in the fields," said Sat Narayan, father of the deceased.

The mob also torched the house of the prime accused, who fled the village with his family.

The police have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 if anyone can provide any clue about him.

When the police tried to intervene, the villagers started pelting stones, and the cops had to lathicharge the crowd.

While eyewitnesses claim the police remained a mute spectator and waited for more personnel, the department refuted the allegations.

"The staff from Sector 10 police station rushed to the spot and tried to save the person who was set on fire. He was taken to the general hospital where he was declared dead on arrival," said Alok Mittal, joint commissioner of police, Gurgaon.

Following the clash, angry villagers also blocked entry into Hyatpur.

While the situation was calm in the evening, a large number of police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order.