Local police had to open fire on a local goon roaming around carrying knives in Kalaburagi. The accused tried to threaten the public and shopkeepers in a busy market area in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi. The incident happened on Sunday night around 9 pm, and police confirmed that they now have Mohammed Fazal Jafar (28) in their custody.
Stockily built, Jafar is a native and a local fruit merchant. Jafar reached the market wielding what looked like two feet long swords in both hands and threatened the local vendors. To help save themselves, shopkeepers informed the authorities.
Personnel from Chowk police station led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Wahid Kothwal reached the spot soon and asked Jafar to drop the weapons. Not only did the goon disobey, but he moved menacingly toward the police officers. After several warnings and without an alternative, the SI opened fire and hit Jafar in his legs.
The goon collapsed in a heap, and police officers soon overpowered him. Due to the commotion, some officers could not comprehend what had happened and beat Jafar with their lathis. Wahid prevented them from doing so and quickly recovered Jafar’s weapons lying nearby.
Jafar was then shifted to the government hospital with some minor injuries. By then, his violence had lasted for well over an hour. The incident happened in full public view, and a video soon went viral. Kalaburagi city Police Commissioner R Chetan informed the media that the police fired at the goon in self-defense.
The control room received a call about Fazal roaming with knives and threatening the general public. As police reached the spot, they asked him to drop the weapons, but he was trying to attack the crowd near a supermarket. When he did not listen to the police and tried to attack, the police opened fire at his leg, Chetan added.
Brahmapura Police registered a case and are investigating the matter. They are yet to ascertain the reasons for Jafar’s violent acts. As usual, the victimization and justifications came thick and fast. The Indian Express reported that Jafar’s family members claimed ‘mental instability’ and prior treatment. When will our system stop accepting such lame excuses and proceed logically?
Many ‘neutral’ media outlets reported the accused’s name Fazal Bhagavan – it’s still not clear how the Hindu suffix was added to his name, and whether it’s just a moniker he had assumed as many Islamists do to hide their real identity. Even India Today reported his name as Fazal Bhagwan. Photos used by these media outlets show police raising their lathi at the accused, subliminally projecting him as a victim. Is this unbiased journalism?
Had the policeman not shot Jafar in the leg, he could have seriously hurt policemen (including lady officers) or the public. Further details are awaited.
