Shopkeeper shot for not paying bribe, traders allege

AGRA - Traders at Shah Ganj market here downed shutters and staged a protest Friday, after one of their fellow shop owners was fired at by a policeman after he allegedly refused to pay him a bribe.

Shopkeepers alleged that a group of police personnel roughed up shopkeeper Javed after he refused their demand for money. A policeman allegedly fired at him, and the bullet hit his palm.

But the police deny the charges.

“The cops were not extorting money from shop keepers, but were asking tempo owners to move out and clear the passage,” deputy inspector general of police Antony Dev Kumar told reporters.

However, he promised to look into the charges of extortion.

The situation was tense after the firing. Shopkeepers gathered together, pelted stones at the cops and chased them away.

Later, police used tear gas to disperse the mob. Several police vehicles were smashed.

The situation has been brought under control, police said.