Two arrested for killing policeman

Port Blair, Mar 22 (UNI) The Andaman and Nicobar police has arrested two people in connection with the murder of a police head constable.

Police said here today that Head Constable G Shaji was murdered on March 20 by 'oil smugglers', when the policeman was trying to seize a dinghy, involved in transfer of HSD oil from a government-run ferry boat illegally.

Police arrested Abdul Gaffar and Abdul Nawaz, who are also allegedly involved in the oil-smuggling racket.

Police has also announced an ex-gratia relief for the victim's family. However, the family members accuse the police of foul play in the investigation, even though more than eight people had been arrested within 12 hours of the murder.

The gang had been involved in oil-smuggling for the past 15 years.

The victim's father, a retired policeman, Gopinathan, alleged that most of the senior local officers were involved in the racket.

Meanwhile, Andaman Superintendent of Police V Ranganathan told UNI today, ''The case is solved, we have enough evidence.'' Vice-president of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee P Chekku said, ''The oil smuggling is going on in these islands since more than 15 years under the patronage of local police.'' UNI SKR DPM YA BST1017