NEW DELHI: Unidentified assailants arrived in a policeman’s car and fired at a 28-year-old cable operator in outer Delhi on Thursday morning, leading to allegations that the cop had ordered the attack because the victim refused to pay him protection money — ‘hafta’ in local parlance.

The victim, Jeetender, was shot in the stomach and later underwent an operation. He is said to be critical. His family members said constable Narender, whose car was left behind by the attackers, had been demanding “protection money” for Jeetender’s fledgling business operations in and around Tajpur village near Alipore . Constable detained for questioning, two others held

Jetender's family members allege that constable Narender had been demanding protection money from him.

"When he refused to pay, he was threatened with dire consequences by this cop. He even came to our house to threaten us. We had complained about him at Alipore police station and DCP %office. But no action was taken," said Mehar, the father of the victim.

Constable Narender, who is posted at Hauz Qazi police station in Old Delhi, has been detained for questioning. Angry residents stoned his car - a Swift Dzire left behind in the village - smashed it with sticks and tried to torch it.

Till late Thursday night, police had arrested two %persons in connection with the attack and detained several more.

DCP (outer) B S Jaiswal said the attack could have been a result of rivalry between cable operators. "There has been a long standing feud between two warring cable operators leading to violent clashes. We had earlier taken preventive action against the two sides. However, the fact remains that %the car recovered from the spot belongs to a Delhi Police constable, Narender. His role is being investigated," Jaiswal said. A case of attempt to murder has been registered at the Alipore police station.

According to Jeetender's family members, the victim was sitting in the sun outside his house, along with his brother and father, when four to five men arrived in the% car. One of them took out a weapon and fired at Jeetendra. As the locals began chasing them after hearing gunfire, the accused fled leaving the car behind.

