Karnal Police on Friday claimed to have killed two alleged shooters in an encounter, less than 48 hours after the murder of 28 year old Biru Valmiki, who had several criminal cases registered against him.
The encounter took place around midnight on the intervening night of August 6 and 7 near the Ghoghadipur canal, police said.
The deceased suspects were identified as Harsh, 24, from Nilokheri, and Birbal, 29, a resident of Matarwa Kheri village in Kaithal district. Police said Birbal was facing 22 criminal cases, while Harsh had five cases against him.
According to police, Biru also had multiple criminal cases and headed a group of youngsters known as “Biru’s group”. He was allegedly active on social media, where he frequently uploaded posts featuring provocative songs.
Police said teams received information about the movement of the two suspects and intercepted their motorcycle near the canal. The suspects allegedly tried to turn around after noticing a police barricade, lost control of the motorcycle and opened fire at the police personnel.
Police claimed that bullets hit the bulletproof jackets of Sub Inspector Manoj Kumar and the in charge of the CIA 1 unit. The suspects were allegedly asked to surrender but continued firing, following which the police retaliated.
Nearly 25 rounds were reportedly fired from both sides. Both suspects were killed in the exchange of fire, police said. A forensic team later visited the encounter site and collected evidence.
Karnal Range Inspector General Ashok Kumar said the police had received intelligence inputs about the suspects and teams were deployed to track them.
Meanwhile, police said Biru was shot dead on Wednesday night. He had left his Sadar Bazaar residence on his two wheeler around 9 pm to visit his sister. While travelling near Bhagwadia Gas Agency road, two motorcycle borne men allegedly fired at him from close range and fled.
Biru suffered a gunshot injury to the head. Locals rushed him to Karnal Medical College Hospital, from where he was referred to Amritdhara Hospital. He later died during treatment.
Following the murder, gangster Shooter Samana allegedly claimed responsibility through a social media post and threatened Biru’s associates with similar consequences.
The killing led to protests by Biru’s family and members of the Valmiki community, who blocked a road near Gandhi Chowk on Thursday, demanding immediate arrest of those responsible.
Biru’s wife, Deepika, who married him around six months ago, also joined the protest and demanded strict action.
Karnal Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya reached the protest site and assured the family that action would be taken. The protesters subsequently lifted the blockade. The SP later formed five teams to trace the alleged assailants.
On Friday, the family accepted Biru’s body after discussions with SDM Narendra Sharma and performed his last rites.
The family has sought Rs 1 crore compensation, five arms licences and a government job for one family member under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. DSP Sandeep Kumar said the demands would be forwarded to the state government for consideration.