Authorities in Jhalawar suspended internet services after several shops were set on fire after the alleged gunning down of a 20-year-old local videographer by some unidentified people in a road rage incident, officials said on Friday.
Shambhu Singh, a resident of Lahasudiya (Dug), died of a gunshot fired from a car, with two persons inside it.
Chiranjee Lal Meena, Additional SP Jhalawar said that two accused shot the photographer while he was covering a wedding.
“The accused and the victim had some previous grudges due to which the accused shot Shambhu. As the matter involved two communities, things escalated quickly and a mob burnt two shops. The fire then spread to some small shops nearby and around 15 of them were gutted. They also pelted stones. We have brought the situation under control and arrested the accused and also seized the car used in the crime. We will investigate the case and take action against the accused.”
Raipur Police Station SHO Bannalal Jat sustained critical head injury in stone-pelting and was referred to Jaipur after primary treatment in Jhalawar.
Around half a dozen other policemen sustained minor wounds in the confrontation with the mob.
A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.
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Considering the charged atmosphere, Kota Divisional Commissioner Rajendra Singh Shekhawat ordered suspension of internet services in Dug, Gangdhar and Pedawa sub-divisions from 12 am Friday to 12 am Saturday.
Earlier, Singh’s family and locals went on a protest demanding the culprits be brought to book and refused a post-mortem. They relented after the intervention of Dug MLA Kaluram Meghwal.
Meghwal announced that Singh’s kin would receive Rs 40 lakh in compensation – Rs 5 lakh from the government and the remaining sum from public contribution — as well as a contractual job for his younger brother.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd