In a brazen late-night incident at a crucial inter-state border, a truck driver was arrested for allegedly attempting to murder a police officer in Gujarat's Dahod district. The accused, who reportedly flaunted his social media influence during the confrontation, attacked the inspector with a stone, causing a serious eye injury.
Midnight Chase at Khangela Check Post
The episode unfolded around 1 am on Friday at the Khangela inter-state check post in Dahod. This checkpoint is a key vigilance point for Gujarat police to prevent smuggling, especially of liquor, into the state. A patrol team from the Katvara police station signalled a truck to stop for a routine check.
Ignoring the signal, the driver allegedly sped away, triggering a police chase. The vehicle was pursued for nearly two kilometres before it was finally intercepted by the determined officers.
Social Media Boasts Turn Violent
Upon being stopped, the driver, identified as Ankush Hemraj Damor, a native of Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh, engaged in a heated argument with the police. Officials stated that he repeatedly boasted about his large social media following, seemingly to intimidate the personnel.
When the police team moved to search his vehicle, Damor allegedly attempted to flee on foot. Katvara Police Inspector Umesh Gavit, a 2013-batch officer, along with four other personnel, gave chase. In a sudden turn, the accused turned back and pelted a stone at Inspector Gavit, striking him squarely in the right eye.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dahod Division) Jagdish Bhandari provided details on the injury: "The stone hit him in the eye. There has been injury and primary damage to the right eye. Only after the swelling subsides in a couple of days will it be possible to ascertain whether his vision is intact."
Night-Long Manhunt and Arrest
Following the attack, the Dahod police launched an extensive combing operation through the night. Teams from the Local Crime Branch and the Special Operations Group (SOG) scoured the area and eventually arrested Damor from a nearby field where he had been hiding overnight.
Interestingly, a search of the truck revealed it was carrying only vegetables, with no contraband found. Police investigations into Damor's background revealed he is active on social media, frequently uploading reels featuring stunts and challenges. "In one reel, he claims he can drive while drinking," an officer noted. Preliminary checks indicated he was not wanted in any other criminal case.
Ankush Hemraj Damor has been booked for attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and was scheduled to be produced before a court on Saturday. Inspector Gavit, who was promoted to his current rank a few years ago and has been heading the Katvara police station for over a year, is under medical care as authorities await a clearer prognosis on his eye injury.
