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The Haryana Police on Tuesday, 19 July, shot at and injured a man believed to be the driver of the truck that mowed down a police officer in Nuh while he was probing illegal stone mining in the area.
The man was injured in an encounter hours after the death of Tauru Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Surendra Singh who was run over by a truck when he signalled it to stop in the state's Nuh district on Tuesday.
While several reports suggest that the driver has been arrested, the police is officially yet to confirm the same.
"One accused has been arrested following an encounter. He has been shot in the leg. Teams are conducting raids to arrest other accused also. Strict action will be taken," said DGP Haryana PK Agrawal as quoted by news agency ANI.
What Happened
Tauru DSP Surendra Singh spotted the truck at 11:50 am in Aravalli hills in Pachgaon area near Tauru, where he had gone to conduct raids to stop illegal mining.
Singh signalled a dumper truck to stop to check its documents, but the driver sped and drove over him.
DSP Surendra Singh
(Photo: The Quint)
The DSP's gunman and driver jumped aside to safety but the officer was hit. He was rushed to the hospital from the place of the incident where he was declared dead by doctors, the police added.
The driver of the truck is still absconding.
'Laid Down His Life for Duty'
The Haryana Police paid tribute to the officer and offered condolences to his family.
"DSP Taoru Sh Surender Singh laid down his life today in the course of duty. Haryana Police extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the brave officer. No effort shall be spared in bringing the offenders to face justice," the police tweeted.
Speaking to ANI, ADG Ravi Kiran, IGP South Range, said that DSP Singh had embarked on the inspection following a tip-off.
"He had come for a surprise inspection based on a tip-off. He didn't come with backup force as he may not have found time for it. He was run over by the accused. No weapons were used," he said.
CM Khattar Promises Action
Taking to Twitter, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said that no accused will be spared. "Strictest action will be taken over the murder of DSP Surendra Singh and no accused will be spared. I express condolences to the family," he said.
Khattar also announced compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family, and a government job to one member of the family. He also said that Singh will be termed a 'martyr' by the state.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij told the media that an ex-gratia sum of Rs 50 lakh will be given to the family, other than the Rs 50 lakh compensation that the bank is providing the family with.
"The entire police team was with him at the time. They went there to conduct a raid. Haryana DGP is about to reach and he is keeping a close watch on the entire incident," Vij said.
What Was DSP Singh?
DSP Surender Singh joined as assistant sub inspector in Haryana Police in 1994. He lived in Kurukshetra with his family and hailed from Sarangpur village in Hisar district.
Prior to being a police officer, Singh was serving on the post of a Veterinary and Livestock Development Assistant (VLDA).
Speaking to the media, Ashok Manju, younger brother of DSP Singh, said that he was to retire this year.
"I spoke with him today only. He was retiring this year. He has two children," he said.
AAP, Congress Slam Haryana Government
Taking to Twitter, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed condolences to the family and slammed the Khattar government.
"Extremely saddening. The killing of the Haryana police officer is a result of the failure of the entire state government system. How can the people be safe if the police isn't?" he tweeted.
Haryana MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "The mining mafia is looting Haryana's treasure from Yamuna Nagar to Nuh and Mewat. Why has the Khattar government shut its eyes? We demand a judicial enquiry by a sitting high court judge in the matter. A case should be filed, and nobody should be spared."
Leader of Opposition in Haryana, Congress' Bhupinder Hooda, said that Singh's murder reflects upon the deteriorating law and order situation of the state. Every person is feeling unsafe. The government needs to earn back the trust and take strict action," he said.
"It is shameful. Mining mafia is getting out of hand. MLAs are being threatened, the police is also not safe. How will the public feel safe?" he added.
Around 50 complaints of illegal mining are registered every year in Nuh since 2015, as per officials quoted by PTI.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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