Guna Attack: 3 Cops Martyred, Poacher Slain, IG Removed
Guna (MP), May 14: Three Madhya Pradesh Police personnel – including an officer – were martyred, a law-enforcement vehicle’s driver grievously injured and a poacher mortally wounded during a gun-battle inside a forest with more than half-a-dozen ruffians who were returning at about 0300 hrs on Saturday after poaching black buck and peafowl in Aron Police Station limits.
Though the miscreants managed to flee after looting a rifle, a body – identified as that of Naushad Khan – was later seized in Raghogarh area adjoining Aron.
“The incident is indeed tragic. IG (Gwalior Zone) Anil Kumar Sharma has been transferred to Headquarters owing to delay on the officer’s part in reaching the scene of crime. Action shall be taken against the perpetrators – who have been identified – in a manner that will prove to be a historic deterrent for other criminals. Additional force was despatched and a massive search operation is continuing. ‘Samman Nidhi’ of Rs 1 crore each will be provided to the next of kin of SI Rajkumar Jatav, constables Neeraj Bhargav and Santram Meena. One member of each family shall be inducted into government service,” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a statement on Saturday.
Addl DGP (Special Armed Force) D Sreenivasa Varma – hitherto serving at HQ – has been reassigned to Gwalior Zone. “Seven hunters were involved. Information was received regarding the lawbreakers riding motorcycles. When surrounded and challenged, the accused opened fire,” state Home Minister and government spokesman Narottam Mishra told media representatives on emerging from a high-level meeting convened by Mr Chouhan at his residence.
Police said that the patrol team reached the area during the intervening night following inputs regarding presence of the culprits. SP Rajeev Kumar Mishra later rushed there. Lakhan Giri – who was at the wheel – has been admitted at the District Hospital. Incriminating evidence was found. It is hitherto unclear as to what measures have been initiated by the Forest Department. The gruesome issue political hues with the principal-opposition Congress firing a broadside at the state dispensation.
While demanding Dr Mishra’s resignation, the Assembly’s Leader of the Opposition Govind Singh alleged, “The law and order situation is ceaselessly deteriorating but the government is busy delivering speeches.” Guna district adjoins Bhopal to the north.
