A pall of gloom and anger hung over a village in the Karnal district today as a dispute over a trivial matter at a liquor shop escalated into a fatal tragedy and subsequent arson.
-
The Incident: According to eyewitnesses, the trouble began late in the evening when a group of youths entered into an argument with another group at the liquor vend. The verbal spat quickly turned physical, and during the scuffle, a 24-year-old local youth sustained a fatal injury, reportedly from a sharp object. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital where doctors declared him “brought dead.”
-
The Mob Retaliation: As the news of the death reached the village, hundreds of residents gathered and marched toward the liquor vend. The mob, fueled by long-standing resentment against the shop’s location near a residential area, broke into the premises. After vandalizing the furniture and stocks, the protesters set the vend on fire. The fire spread rapidly, and fire tenders had to be called in from Karnal to prevent it from reaching adjacent buildings.
-
Demands of the Protesters: The villagers blocked a nearby local road, refusing to allow the body to be sent for post-mortem until the suspects were arrested and a formal order for the permanent removal of the liquor vend was issued. “This shop has ruined the atmosphere of our village. We have complained multiple times, but no action was taken,” said a village elder.
-
Police Action: Senior police officials, including the DSP, reached the spot with reinforcements. To disperse the mob, police had to use mild force. “We have identified some suspects behind the murder and are scanning CCTV footage to identify the arsonists as well. No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands,” a police spokesperson said.
-
Current Situation: Section 144 (restriction on assembly) has been informally imposed in the village to prevent further flare-ups. The administration has promised a fair inquiry into the incident, following which the villagers partially lifted the road blockade late at night.
