Angry mobs blocked roads and clashed with police at Nurmahal township of Punjab, about 250 km from here, prompting the latter to open fire killing one person and injuring four others.
The mob was furious after three members of a family allegedly committed suicide due to police harassment.
According to reports, angry villagers picketed the local police station, after Kala Singh alias Tari, wife Binder and four-year-old daughter Kusum committed suicide by jumping before a moving train on Friday morning unable to bear police harassment.
A panicky policeman opened fire in the air after which the mob chased him. The policeman opened fire at the mob killing one person on the spot, eyewitnesses said.
The villagers alleged that the police were harassing the family to know the whereabouts of Kala’s brother, Sandeep, who had eloped with a girl 10 days ago. Residents of the township alleged that Kala and his family members ended their lives as they feared the police would foist false cases on them.
The irate residents shouted slogans against the police and blocked traffic at the bus stand before encircling the police station.
Four persons were admitted to hospital in a serious condition, sources said.
Senior police officials have rushed to Nurmahal to defuse the situation.