Bathinda: A police raid to arrest an alleged drug peddler in Ghuman Kalan village under Maur Mandi police station turned violent on Thursday, with members of an extended family clashing with the police team. The incident led to the registration of an FIR against nine family members, four of whom were arrested on Saturday, police said.According to police, a team from Maur Mandi police station had raided the village following a tip-off that one Sandeep Singh was involved in drug peddling. When the police detained him, members of his family, along with relatives from his uncle’s household, allegedly opposed the raid and laid siege to the police party.Police claimed the group pelted stones at the team and tore the uniform of ASI Paramjit Singh, forcing the police to retreat amid the chaos. Taking advantage of the situation, Sandeep Singh managed to flee from the spot.An FIR has been registered against nine members of the extended family under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty), 221 (obstructing a public servant), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 190 (unlawful assembly) and 191(3) (rioting while armed with a deadly weapon) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Maur police station.Police said that while the accused family members initially escaped during the melee, sustained efforts led to the arrest of four of them on Saturday.Maur DSP Kuldeep Singh said the raid was carried out under the supervision of Maur SHO Tarundeep Singh. “After the police party was obstructed and attacked, a case was registered. On Saturday, we arrested four members of the family, including alleged drug peddler Sandeep Singh,” the DSP said, adding that further investigation is underway.
