10 held for attack on Phalodi solar plant

JAIPUR: The Jodhpur rural police on Sunday arrested 10 accused, including a constable, in the firing at a solar plant in Phaldoi town.

Jodhpur rural superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Barhat said that on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday a r o und 1 2 0 a r med p e o p l e attacked a solar energy plant in Dadu area of Phalodi town. More than 500 rounds were fired by the accused.

“The accused not only damaged the property, but also tried to kill the labourers by burning their tents. Seeing the seriousness of the case, 10 special teams were formed to nab the accused. The teams started collecting information about the accused and nabbed them from various parts of Jodhpur and nearby districts,” said Barhat.

The arrested accused has been identified as a police constable Prabhuram Bi s hnoi (36), Udaram Bishnoi (76), Hirkanram Bishnoi (65), Bhoum Singh Rajput (30), Dinesh Bishnoi (22), Subhash Bishnoi (22), Ramesh Bishnoi (20), Ashok Bihsnoi (22), Rajesh Bisnoi (18) and Surendra Bishnoi (18).

“The complainant Mahipal and accused Udaram and Prbahuram are cousins. Their rivalry is very old. Around two months back 3,100 kg lanced poppy husk was recovered from the house of Udaram and Prabhuram. While Udaram was arrested, Prabhuram was suspended from his duty and a case under relevant sections of NDPS was lodged against both,” Barhat said.

A month back Udaram was granted bail. Prabhuram and Udaram thought that Mahipal had given a tip-off to the police about the lanced poppy husk.

“Both Udaram and Prabhuram decided to take revenge. The duo, along with their family members and acquaintances, went in their pick-ups and fired bullets, damaged valuables, burnt their tents,” Barhat added.

He said, “The accused are either friends or family members of Prabhuram and Udaram. Most of the arrested members are peddlers. From spot inspection, it appears that the bullets were fired from local countrymade firearms. We are interrogating the accused.”

There are many plants in BapPhalodi area. In past also, many incidents of firing have taken place on this particular plant. Police officers were paid for the security of the plants. Phalodi station house officer Rajeev Bhadu was sent to police lines for delay in reaching the spot. He and his team took around 2.30 hours to reach the spot.