Protesters scuffle with villagers, many hurt

Our Correspondent

Mukerian (Hoshiarpur), August 13

The situation at Harsa Mansar village on the National Highway became tense when supporters of the bandh went to a shop trying to get it closed forcibly while the shopkeeper resisted.

There was a scuffle between the protesters and a group of villagers supporting shopkeeper. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper alleged that he was beaten up, his shop was ransacked and Rs 2 lakh was stolen from his shop by the protesters. Villagers and the bandh supporters pelted  each other with stones. 

The police had to fire gunshots in the air to disperse them. 

SP (D) Balbir Singh Bhatti said when some protesters reached Harsa Mansar village, they saw a confectionery shop open and tried to force the shopkeeper to close down the shop. Shopkeepers and bandh supporters had a heated argument. 

The situation worsened and both sides broke into a scuffle. People damaged two-wheelers of some of the protesters. 

On the other hand, some villagers were injured by stones. He has demanded from the administration to take strict action against the miscreants.