Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh): Police used water cannons on Karni Sena protestors in Mandsaur as tensions escalated over an FIR against their national president Jeevan Singh Sherpur on Saturday. Sherpur led thousands of supporters to surround the SP office, demanding removal of his name from a criminal case.
The protest started after police registered a case against Sherpur for extortion and assault in Bhavgarh area. His supporters went on hunger strike outside the police office, raising slogans and refusing to leave. They want the case withdrawn and the investigating officers suspended.
SP Abhishek Anand reached the office to handle the situation. Police told the protesters they must follow the law since the court has issued an arrest warrant. This led to a fight between police and supporters, forcing police to use water cannons to control the crowd.
Sherpur claims innocence, saying police are filing false cases to make him look like a criminal. He said he will continue protesting till his demands are met.
The case involves extortion from liquor shop workers. On June 26, Sherpur's associates allegedly went to a shop in Behpur village demanding Rs 1 lakh monthly from the employees. When workers refused, they were beaten up and threatened.
Victim Hrithik said three men - Pushpendra Singh, Indrapal Singh and Nagendra Singh - came to their office demanding monthly payments. They claimed to work for Sherpur and used casteist language while beating the employees. Worker Pushkar was seriously injured and remains hospitalised.
Police have registered cases against seven people including Sherpur under SC-ST Act, extortion and assault charges. All three accused are currently on the run.
SP Anand said that Sherpur already faces 12 cases in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Neemuch districts. Mandsaur court has issued his arrest warrant and police promise to arrest him soon.
