Date:25/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022504131200.htm

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National

Protests in Jammu over watchman's death

Staff Reporter

INCONSOLABLE: Kewal Ram's daughter and wife near Jammu on Saturday. — Photo: AP

Jammu: Protests were staged in the city over the alleged beating of a watchman by the police on Friday.

Kewal Ram, who guards a housing cooperative society, died in the Government Medical College hospital.

Traffic stopped

Protesters stopped traffic near the Bantalab area.

Teargas shells were lobbed and the police fired five rounds in the air to disperse the group.

Lal Chand, Assistant sub-inspector has been suspended in connection with the death and a departmental enquiry ordered.

Protesters said Kewal Ram along with Hoshiar Singh were at Panchbati enclave in Mishriwala when Lal Chand, along with some police persons, beat them up.

Fell unconscious

Police said the watchman fell unconscious after a scuffle with the ASI. He was taken to the hospital and discharged after a while.

After two hours the watchman was brought back to the hospital after he complained of chest pain. He died soon after.

SSP (Jammu) Mukesh Singh said Kewal Ram died after a heart attack and he did not die in police custody.