Vehicles damaged after a clash between two groups of labourers turned ugly leading gun fire at IIT Kamand at Mandi on Saturday. (Source: Express photo) Vehicles damaged after a clash between two groups of labourers turned ugly leading gun fire at IIT Kamand at Mandi on Saturday. (Source: Express photo)

Four persons were lynched and nine others, including four locals were injured—three of them seriously, when protesting workers clashed with rivals at upcoming campus of the Mandi IIT at Kamand, 18 kms from main town on Saturday morning.

Of the four deceased, two died on the spot while two others succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital.

The men were members of a private security (well-built bouncers) hired by a contractor to guard his workers against the protesters—belonging to left wing trade union CITU.

Three of the injured had received bullet injuries as gunshots were fired at the protesting workers that triggered a huge mob which went violent, joined by locals, beat-up.

In all they were nine persons, who were hired by the contractor.

Director General of police Sanjay Kumar said that the incident basically related to clash between two group of workers –one already on strike in support of their demand and others – belonging to a different contractor, who had refused to join them.

“Today when members of CITU, who were on strike reached the site and asked the other group to join their protest, the private security personnel, who were armed apparently fired from a revolver. This caused commotion and triggered violent protests,” said the DGP.

The workers backed by locals went on a rampage and burnt at least three vehicles and caused damaged to the property. A burnt pistol was also recovered from the vehicle which the enraged mob had set afire.

A mob comprising of more than 250 persons carrying lathis and stones, chased the members of private security. They (private security) ran for shelter into nearby nullahs and fields. But, the mob caught hold of two and beaten them to death. Others who fled to the mountain cliffs and jumped into nullahs failed to save themselves.

“We had rushed additional force including Rapid Action Force by this time, the security men, had already suffered the loss, two having died on the spot. They were nine, of which four are dead, and the rest of five injured,” said Mandi SP Mohit Chawla.

The Additional District magistrate, Vivek Chandel confirmed three deaths and identified the deceased as Harry, Tej Singh and Simarjit, all hailing from Fatehpur in Punjab. One person is yet to be identified. Further details about the incident are awaited as the senior officers of police and administration were still at the spot.

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