Seven policemen among 9 injured in attack in South Gujarat

Surat, Sep 12 (UNI) Nine people, including seven police officials, were seriously injured when a group of tribals attacked them at Laskariya village, near Ahwa, last night, sources said here today.

Police Sub-Inspector Borse had received information that cattle were being illegally transferred from Nandanpeda village to Deonar abattoir in Mumbai. Acting on the tip-off, a police team raided the spot but could not find any such vehicle carrying cattle.

Later, police impounded two trucks and brought them to Ahwa police station for further investigation. They also detained two persons -- Razak Radfadiya and Abdul Fakir, along with their vehicles, the sources said.

While the team was returning, it was intercepted by a mob of around 70-80 people who attacked the police team with swords, sticks, iron rods and even pelted stones at them. Seven policemen, including PSI, were seriously injured in the incident and miscreants fled the scene carrying with them the two detained men and their vehicles and the service revolver of the police officer.

The injured policemen were admitted to government hospital at Ahwa, while PSI Borse was shifted to Nirmal Hospital in Surat. His condition is stated to be critical.

The police launched search operations in the two villages and detained more than 20 vehicles allegedly used to ferry cattle and have deployed additional police force, including SRP, to prevent any untoward situation, the sources added.

DSP Gautam Parmar said the police fired four rounds during the attack. Later, the police detained 15 people in this connection.

UNI XR-HT SSS SP HT1820