A man died in police firing on Thursday after mob attacks on police station in Gujarat's Dahod
A farmer died in police action in central Gujarat's Dahod district late last evening after the police fired at hundreds of villagers in the state's tribal-dominated belt. The protest, which turned violent, were demanding action against policemen who picked up a villager from his house early on Thursday. Kanesh Gamara, 31, had died soon after his release during the day, allegedly due to torture by the police.
According to tribals in the village 250 km from state capital Gandhinagar, the police had refused to file a case against their colleagues and only agreed to record it as an accidental death.
Kanesh Gamara wasn't even a suspect in a criminal case, it was his brother that the police were after. But around 1 am on Thursday, the police barged into the house to question him about his brother reportedly wanted in a robbery case.
The police station was the first target of the protesters who had come with Kanesh Gamara's body. The police say they started with throwing stones at the station and later set at least one police van on fire.
When the protesters stayed put despite police firing tear gas shells, the police opened fire. Three people were injured.
The violence had given way to a fragile peace in Chilakota village on Friday morning after reinforcements were rushed but the anger still remains.
The 45-year-old farmer Ramsu Mohaniya killed in the police firing was from the neighbouring Amli village. His brother Naresh told NDTV that Ramsu had gone to buy vegetables to Jesawada and had nothing to do with the violence. "He was running away from the mob too... but he was shot in the head," he said.
The police has denied allegations of custodial torture. Senior district police official Tejas Patel claimed that Kanesh Gamra was allowed to go after questioning.