- Dial-100 team held hostage
- Attempt to burn policemen alive
Damoh: A shocking and brutal attack on a Dial-100 police team in Damoh has sent shockwaves across the region. Two police personnel were severely assaulted, allegedly force-fed alcohol, and nearly burned alive by a mob while responding to a land dispute.
The incident occurred on Monday night, around 8 PM, in Peerwara village under the Magaron police station’s jurisdiction. Constables Balram Lodhi and Manoj Rajput, part of the Dial-100 team, were dispatched after a report of illegal land encroachment and disturbance of peace.
Upon their arrival, a crowd of 30-35 individuals immediately turned on the officers. The attackers snatched their mobile phones and subjected them to a brutal beating. In a horrific escalation, Constable Lodhi was allegedly force-fed alcohol, and the mob then attempted to push both officers into a burning tractor, intending to immolate them. Miraculously, both officers managed to escape with their lives. They are currently receiving treatment for their serious injuries at the district hospital.
Horrific account from injured officer
Constable Balram Lodhi recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that the Dial-100 team was called to the scene by Inder Singh, who reported an attempt to illegally seize his land with a JCB. Upon their arrival, a group led by Dhanna Singh confronted them, accusing them of being bribed.
Lodhi described how the mob, numbering 30 to 40 people, forcibly made them drink alcohol and then assaulted them. They then set a tractor on fire and demanded the officers confess on video that they had ignited the fire themselves while intoxicated. When Lodhi tried to record the incident on his phone, the attackers again assaulted him and attempted to throw both officers into the flames. Some individuals in the mob reportedly argued against burning the officers alive.
Escape and investigation
After the harrowing escape, the injured officers immediately went to the Superintendent of Police’s residence to report the incident, from where they were taken to the district hospital for treatment. Constable Lodhi believes the perpetrators’ mobile phones hold video evidence of the entire attack, urging police officials to seize them to uncover the truth.
The police have confirmed that the suspects, including Dhruv Singh, fled the scene before more officers arrived. An investigation is underway into this horrific act of violence against law enforcement.
