SHO hurt as villagers clash with cops

Khandwa, MP, June 8 (UNI) A police official assaulted during a clash between police and villagers near this district's Deshgaon, fired his service revolver, injuring one person.

''Hiralal is out of danger while SHO S S Dabar is hospitalised here. A case was registered against 150 villagers and one person arrested,'' Superintendent of Police D C Sagar said today.

Motorcyclist Gopal Jaiswal entered into a dispute with a stationary jeep's driver near a toll tax barrier in the vicinity of Deshgaon last night. The latter vehicle was carrying police personnel in mufti. Jaiswal slapped the driver and was promptly whisked away to a police station.

As news spread, about 150 villagers gathered near the barrier and began agitating against the police. At that juncture, Chhaigaonmakhan SHO Dabar reached the spot and was assaulted after being forced off his jeep. Even while lying prostrate on the ground, the officer discharged a few rounds and succeeded in dispersing the mob.

A police team reached the scene and brought the situation under control. Villagers alleged that Jaiswal was subjected to indecent behaviour by intoxicated personnel in the first jeep.

UNI XC-AC VD HT2147