5 hurt in police firing

Hoshangabad (MP), May 19 (UNI) Five people were injured when police opened fire as lathicharge failed to disperse a stone-throwing mob opposing removal of encroachment by the district authorities at Sohagpur town in this district today.

The injured- Beg Shahid, Mohammad Iqbal, Sonu, Rafiq and Chhottu- were admitted to the district hospital here, official sources said, adding two persons suffered injuries on their leg, while others got injuries on their hands.

Police sources said the residents of Kila Mohalla were opposing the eviction drive launched by the district authorities against encroachers. Heated argument between the residents and government officials was followed by stone-throwing thereby necessiating police intervention.

Police made a vain bid to disperse the agitated mob by resorting to lathicharge and later fired upon the crowd. After initial medical treatment at Sohagpur, the injured were shifted to the district hospital.

Additional police force had been deployed in the area, the sources added.

UNI