J&K Polls: Cong Min booked in ‘attempt to murder’ case in Kathua

JAMMU :  Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Cooperatives and Congress candidate from Billawar Assembly Segment Manohar Lal Sharma among five has been booked in “attempt to murder” case in Kathua district.
“The supporters of Dr Sharma were campaigning late last night in village Khub of Billawar which was objected by the members of the rival party,” a senior police official said.    He said that apprehending law and order problem, police teams were rushed to the spot.
“The Minister (Sharma) along with his hundreds of supporters reached the spot and started abusing the policemen and the senior officers,” he added.
He said that despite making request, the Minister kept abusing them and clashed with the police and later attacked a senior police officer with a ‘lathi’ (stick).    Sharma also provoked his supporters to attack the police.    “We have registered a case in ‘attempt to murder’ against him under sections 307, 353, 14, 148 and 149 against the minister and four of his supporters,” said the police official.    “The Minister has been booked but at the moment he is evading arrest,” Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kathua told UNI.
The DC said that teams have been dispatched in different areas of the district to arrest the absconding Congress candidate.    He, however, said that the polling so far in the district remained peaceful.
(AGENCIES)