Nine arrested for attacking police team, raising ‘pro-Pakistan’ slogan in Pakur
Over two dozen people including 13 policemen were injured in the clashes which took place after a police team arrived in Dangapara village following information that cows were allegedly being slaughtered.
Nine people were arrested in Pakur district for attacking policemen and raising ‘pro-Pakistan slogan’ during a clash between villagers and cops near Maheshpur police station on Wednesday evening, police said on Thursday.
Over two dozen people including 13 policemen and Pakur deputy commissioner (DC) Dileep Kumar Jha were injured in the clashes which took place after a police team arrived in Dangapara village following information that cows were allegedly being slaughtered.
Cow slaughter has been banned in Jharkhand since 2015. The state government had on August 18 directed deputy commissioners of all districts to ensure that cattle is not slaughtered on Eid.
The policemen were beaten and chased away by the villagers. Later, Pakur DC and superintendent of police (SP) Shailendra Barnwal raided the village and collected samples of the banned meat. Protesting police move, the villagers ghearoed the police station in the afternoon and reportedly pelted stone on policemen.
Police resorted to lathicharge, fired shots in the air and also fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Speaking to media, Pakur superintendent of police (SP) Shailendra Barnwal said that situation turned violent after hundreds of villagers, raising ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans, marched to surround the police station and started pelting stones and firing bullets.
“We imposed section 144 in the area and invited the protestors for talks. But, they were not ready for any discussion. They became violent, pelted stone, fired bullets and also hurled bombs on policemen. In defence, police had to resort to firing and use tear gas,” the SP said.
“We recovered a country made pistol, bullets and threads from used bomb from the site. 13 policemen and officials including Pakur DC received injuries. We have so far arrested nine people,” he added.
Ten villagers also received injuries in the incident. They were undergoing treatment in Burdwan and Rampurhat hospitals in West Bengal. “We got information that eight to 10 people were injured in the incident and were undergoing treatment somewhere in Burdwan and Rampurhat hospitals,” DIG Lakra said.
Police sources said several people had come from West Bengal to support the villagers’ protest. Pakur’s Maheshpur shares border with Birbhum district in West Bengal.
Police claimed the situation remained peaceful and normal on Thursday. “Situation is under control. The Pakur SP is camping in the area to avert any untoward incident,” said deputy inspector general of Dumka range, Raj Kumar Lakra, who is closely monitoring the situation.
