Bandh observed ib Kareli today

Narsinghpur, MP, July 8 (UNI) A bandh was observed today at Kareli in this district in protest of firing at a tax barrier killing two persons, police said.

Agriculture Minister Choudhary Chandrabhan Singh today visited the spot.

Two persons were killed on July 6 night by firing during a dispute over alleged forcible collection of toll tax from vehicles.

Superintendent of Police Radheshyam Saket said firing was done from the viewpoint of security.

He denied the presence of illegal weapons at the barrier. Under the BOT, road construction company's director Sachin Koteja has given the contract for security of the barrier to Bhind-based Harish Sharma and 22 licensed gunmen were posted at the barrier. Twelve persons were taken into custody, while one accused was absconding.

More than half-a-dozen revolvers and live cartridges were seized from the scene of the crime. However, it was being investigated whether the weapons belonged to the arrested persons or not.

BJP MLAs Sanjay Sharma and Jalam Singh Patel and District Congress President Sunil Jaiswal criticised the event.

UNI XC-PS 1805