5 cops hurt in stone-pelting by villagers

Kolhapur, Jan 9 (UNI) Five policemen were injured and a police vehicle damaged in a stone-pelting incident by irate villagers at village Tarle in Radhanagari tehsil of this district today.

The villagers were protesting the detention of few youths. The youngsters had been sleeping in a temple but were picked up last night for allegedly raising inflammatory slogans against a particular community.

When news of the detention spread, the villagers launched a violent protest and pelted stones on police vehicles. The youths, incidentally, were released later.

Police had to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob and few villagers were also injured in the caning.

Top police officials, including district superintendent of police Sukhavinder Singh, visited the village to take stock of the situation and appealed the villagers to maintain peace, police sources added.

UNI BBK MAZ SB BD2055