The Times of India News Service

MUMBAI: One person was killed and 11 were injured, seven of them seriously, when the police opened fire to disperse a mob of tribals who attacked the police station at Puntambe, in Ahmednagar district on Monday.

Trouble arose on Monday afternoon when 350-strong tribals under the banner of Adivasi Sangram Parishad took out a morcha to the Puntambe police station defying prohibitory orders, in protest against the release of Babasaheb Chavan, vice-president of district Youth Congress, who was arrested on June 16 on charges of raping a tribal girl.

The tribals, armed with swords, knives and axes, attacked the police station. Seventeen police personnel, including two inspectors were injured. They also made an unsuccessful attempt to immolate two inspectors, the police said.

The police first tried to pacify the tribals assuring proper action against Chavan and requested them to go back. However, the mob was beyond control, forcing the police to fire 20 rounds to disperse the violent tribals in which Pradeep Rupan Dushing (29) was killed and 11 persons were injured, the police said. Tehsildar of Rahata M.S. Mavanji was among the injured. The injured have been admitted to Ahmednagar civil hospital.

The situation in Puntambe was tense but under control. The security had been beefed up and state reserve police force was deployed in the area.

Tribal welfare minister Madhukar Pichad rushed to Puntambe, accompanied by education minister Dilip Valse Patil.