Arson in Guj to avenge murders; 150 booked for rioting

More than 150 people from Dangarva village here allegedly torched houses, shops and vehicles at nearby Vadu village to avenge the killing of two youngsters, triggering tension in the area, police said today.
The incident took place last night after 6-8 men, allegedly from Vadu village, ran their car several times over 16-year-old Kuldipsinh Dabhi and his cousin Rajendrasinh Dabhi, 20, both residents of Dangarva.
The gruesome attack in the afternoon killed the two on the spot. Enraged, Dangarva locals took to arson in retaliation suspecting the role of Vadu residents behind the murders. They burnt down two houses, three shops and four vehicles in Vadu.

In wake of the arson attack, Mehsana police has deployed more than 200 of their men, including two companies of State Reserve Police to control the situation since morning.
"A case of rioting has been lodged with Nandasan police of Kadi against 150 odd villagers involved in the arson. The situation is now under control," said Mehsana Superintendent of police, JR Mothalia, who visited the spot and is keeping a close watch on the situation.
Police investigations revealed that Kuldip went to a Vadu based school to give his SSC board exam. At 1 pm, two of his cousins, Rajendra and Nikul came on a bike to pick him up.

On their way home, their bike had a minor accident with an Activa rider, who called his supporters to teach the trio a lesson.

In a complaint filed with Nandasan police, seven men came in an i10 car and thrashed the trio mercilessly.
"When Kuldip and Rajendra tried to flee on their bike, they were allegedly knocked down by the men in the car. The accused ran their car over Dabhi duo, leaving them dead on the spot," said a police official of Nandasan police.
After registering a case of murder against the unidentified men, Mehsana police started their investigation and recovered the car lying abandoned in Saraspur area of Ahmedabad.