Villagers attack cops over drain dispute, seven arrested

Varanasi: Many cops and villagers suffered injuries after a group of villagers attacked a police team in Molnapur Talgaon under Bhudkuda police station in Ghazipur district on Saturday afternoon.The police, along with the land revenue department officials, had arrived at the site to solve a dispute over a drain when one of the groups turned violent, said Ghazipur SP Iraj Raja.After lodging an FIR under sections 191(2) (rioting), 132 (Assault to Deter Public Servant), 352 (Intentional Insult Provoking Breach of Peace), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 125 (act endangering life) BNS and 7 CLA Act against nine identified and 10 unidentified persons for obstructing govt work by opposing a revenue team that had arrived to investigate and resolve a drainage dispute, the police arrested Ravi Bhardwaj (38) and six women of Molnapur Talgaon village. Teams are engaged to nab other accused.Block development officer Jakhania, along with a revenue and police team, visited village Molnapur Talgaon to investigate and resolve a drainage dispute, where an underground drain has been constructed beneath a cemented paved road with chambers built at various points. Some locals were against the discharge of water belonging to Ramawati Kushwaha, into it. The officials on May 22 established dialogue and explained that as per rules no one can be prevented from discharging water into a govt drain.On Saturday again the sub-district magistrate, Jakhania, BDO, assistant development officer (Panchayat), secretary Molnapur, revenue inspector Molnapur, and Lekhpal Molnapur arrived at the site along with police force and labourers, and work commenced.However, people from the Rajbhar-dominated area started opposing the drain connection. After obstructing the govt work and preventing the labourers from working they indulged in fighting and brick-batting injuring many policemen. Many villagers were also injured in the incident.