The protests that began in Mandsaur has now spread to other districts as well. (CNN-News18/ Manoj khandekar)
Mandsaur: Former Mandsaur collector Swatantra Kumar Singh, who was assaulted by angry farmers after the firing incident and later transfered, was on Monday seen performing puja in Ujjain apparently in order to placate his ‘angry stars’.
Singh, who was attached as deputy secretary by the state government at the state secretariat after the police firing incident in Mandsaur, assumed office and soon headed to Ujjain for special puja on the advice of his priest, a source said.
He landed at Angareshwar Mahadev temple and performed Bhat puja for three hours.
As media persons intercepted the beleaguered IAS officer at the temple, Singh clarified that he performed puja only for personal satisfaction, peace and no other conclusions should be drawn out of it.
The priest, Manish Upadhyay, however claimed that those confronted with major hurdles in their carers or fear serious disrepute, insult opt for this puja which according to him is capable of warding off all problems. People entangled in legal battles also go for this puja, Updhyay said.
Interestingly, the state government has ordered a judicial probe into the Mandsaur police firing in which six persons were killed.
As Singh went to meet farmers after the firing incident, he was heckled and chased away. The officer was slapped and rushed out of the place with his clothes torn.