Mansa, July 24
Two persons, including a minor boy, were killed and several others injured after being hit by teargas shells fired by the police to control an irate mob that was trying to lynch a “thief” in Akalia village of Mansa district today.
The deceased have been identified as Neetu (16), a resident of Kanakwal village, and Pritam Singh (52).
The police said angry villagers first hurled brickbats at cops who were trying to rescue the “thief” and later set a police jeep afire. The mob also reportedly attacked and seriously injured an assistant sub-inspector and two constables who had taken shelter in a house. A quick response team was sent to the site which fired teargas shells at protesting villagers. Ram Singh, a farmer leader, however, alleged that the policemen opened fire on the mob, resulting in the deaths.
IGP (Bathinda Range) NS Dhillon rushed to the site and denied firing by the police. He said the quick response team was armed only with teargas shells.
DC Amit Dhaka said the situation went out of control after the mob started pelting the cops with stones. Additional police force has been rushed to the area to prevent further violence. Angry over police “firing”, the villagers reportedly blocked the Mansa-Barnala highway by placing the bodies on the road.
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