27 more arrested in Walkhed firing incident

Nashik, Feb 17 (UNI) The police today arrested 27 people in connection with the firing at Walkhed in Dindori taluka of the district last night.

According to police, two motorcycles had collided near Walkhed following which the locals allegedly took some money from one of the riders, Mukesh Tiwari, who is a security guard at Saptashrungi steel company at Lakhamapur Phata here.

Angry over this, Tiwari allegedly fired some shots in the air from his 12 bore rifle, accidentally injuring Yogesh Shinde (20), who was passing through the area.

After the incident, a mob of local people asked police to hand over the accused to them and when their demand was refused, they staged a sit-in agitation and started pelting stones. To control the situation, police resorted to mild-lathi charge, aggravating the situation. The mob allegedly burnt a police vehicle and damaged some other vehicles. Some people also dug up the road using a JCV machine.

Tiwari was arrested immediately by police and a case has been registered against him under section 307 of the IPC.

However, a case of rioting and damage to public property has been registered against the 27 people.

Meanwhile, the condition of Shinde is improving, police said.

The District Guardian Minister Chaggan Bhujbal visited the hospital and inquired about Shinde's condition.

Speaking to mediapersons here, he said the situation was peaceful in the city and the district.

''Industries are running regularly here and I appeal to the migrants, who have left the city, to come back as security would provided to them,'' he added.

UNI GB SR AE RK1855