2 civic body officials recording power theft on mobile thrashed in Batala

A ward number 5 resident of Fatehgarh Churrian, along with around seven family members, reportedly assaulted two municipal council employees on being caught red-handed

A ward number 5 resident of Fatehgarh Churrian, along with around seven family members, reportedly assaulted two municipal council employees on being caught red-handed while stealing power here on Tuesday night.

The employees were trying to record the theft on their mobile  phone. (HT Representative Image)

The main accused has been identified as Barkat Masih.

The employees, identified as Kamal Kumar and Pankaj Kumar, tried to record the theft on their mobile phone, when the accused assaulted them.

They were rushed to civil hospital, Fatehgarh Churrian. One of them was reported to be serious and has been referred to Amritsar.

Municipal council president, Palwinder Singh said, “We received a complaint on Tuesday night from ward number 5 that the street lights near the railway station were not working. After the complaint, two employees Kamal Kumar and Pankaj Kumar went to the spot and found that one Barkat Masih was stealing power from the street light point.”

“When the employees were recording the incident, Barkat Masih along with his family members tried to snatch their mobile,” the president said.

“The accused, who were armed with sharp-edged weapons, thrashed the duo, forcing them to leave the spot to save their lives,” he added.

Ravinder Kumar, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) said he had marked a probe into the matter and action will be taken against the guilty after the completion of inquiry.