Alleging fake encounter, 150 villagers gherao police post

Bareilly: Alleging that police staged a fake encounter of a local youth accused of raping a one-year-old girl, more than 150 villagers came out in protest and surrounded the Chandpur police post in Khutar area of UP’s Shahjahanpur district on Thursday.

The demonstrators demanded strict action against the police personnel involved.The accused, Guddu (25), was arrested following an alleged encounter on the night of June 9. Police claimed Guddu opened fire, prompting retaliation in which he was shot in both legs. “He was hospitalised and subsequently sent to jail,” said Shahjahanpur ASP Diksha Bhavre.Villagers, however, disputed the police version, insisting Guddu was falsely implicated.

“The police first arrested him and then shot him in the leg,” a villager told reporters on condition of anonymity.SSP Saurabh Dixit rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless”. “The crowd first hurled stones at the cops, following which mild force was used,” Dixit said.A video circulating on social media purportedly shows police beating an elderly man and several women during the protest.Following the unrest, an FIR was lodged against four named individuals — village head Shobhit and his aides Balram, Rajendra and Mohit.

Police said one accomplice has been arrested while Shobhit remains absconding.“We are ascertaining the main accused who instigated the public. No innocent will be scrutinised,” SSP Dixit said.Police further stated that Guddu was arrested after a woman filed a complaint alleging he was found naked with a one-year-old infant. The woman, who was washing utensils at the time, rushed to the scene after hearing the child’s cries.