NAGPUR: It was a 15-year-old boy who attacked Zonal DCP Niketan Kadam, a 2019-batch IPS officer, with an axe during the riots at Hansapuri on Tuesday, eyewitness told TOI. The assailant aimed for Kadam’s neck, but the officer managed to block the blow with his hand, sustaining serious injuries.
Kadam underwent emergency surgery at New Era Hospital late in the evening. He and 11 other police personnel were injured while deployed in central Nagpur.
According to eyewitnesses, Kadam and his team were nearly locked inside a room when he sensed the danger and attempted to escape.
A teenage attacker, armed with an axe, tried to trap them inside, allegedly as part of a larger plan to cause greater harm. As Kadam forced his way out, the teenager swung the axe, but the officer blocked it with his bare hands.
The police team had taken shelter in a building in Hansapuri as a mob of 250-300 rioters pelted stones at them. However, they soon found themselves trapped inside as the violent crowd surrounded the building. Reinforcements were eventually able to reach the scene, evacuating Kadam and dispersing the mob.
Kadam was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he is currently recovering.
