Nizamabad Encounter: Man Who Killed Constable hot in Hospital After Gun Snatch Attempt
A tense situation unfolded inside the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Telangana ’s Nizamabad on Monday morning when Sheik Riyaz , accused of stabbing a police constable to death, was shot dead by the police after he allegedly tried to snatch a gun from one of the constables guarding him.
Riyaz, who was accused of killing 42-year-old constable E. Pramod on Saturday, had been arrested on Sunday after what police described as an extensive manhunt. He was admitted to the hospital after sustaining minor injuries during a clash with a civilian, Asif, who had helped the police capture him. Police said Asif too had been stabbed by Riyaz during the scuffle.
According to official sources, the shooting occurred when Riyaz allegedly lunged for a constable’s firearm inside the hospital ward, posing a threat to medical staff and other patients.
“The police opened fire to secure the staff, including doctors and nurses, at the hospital,” read a statement from Telangana Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy’s office.
The DGP’s statement added that Riyaz had already murdered a constable and injured others before the hospital incident.
“The accused had managed to get hold of a gun at the hospital. There could have been a bloodbath had the police not intervened,” the statement said, emphasizing that officers opened fire only after considering all possible consequences.
Police officials revealed that Riyaz had an extensive criminal record, including multiple assault and theft cases. His violent behaviour reportedly continued even after his arrest, which led to heightened security during his hospital stay.
Nizamabad Commissioner of Police P. Sai Chaitanya confirmed that an inquest and postmortem would be conducted “as per protocol.”
“As per the standard operating procedure, a case has been registered and an inquiry into the encounter is on,” Chaitanya told reporters.
The Home Department , led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has been briefed about the incident.
The encounter has reignited discussions about police action in Telangana. In 2019, four men accused of the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad were similarly shot dead in a police encounter, which later became the subject of a Supreme Court inquiry.
As investigations into the Nizamabad hospital encounter continue, authorities maintain that the firing was a split-second decision to prevent greater tragedy, while human rights groups are expected to closely monitor the inquiry process.
Riyaz, who was accused of killing 42-year-old constable E. Pramod on Saturday, had been arrested on Sunday after what police described as an extensive manhunt. He was admitted to the hospital after sustaining minor injuries during a clash with a civilian, Asif, who had helped the police capture him. Police said Asif too had been stabbed by Riyaz during the scuffle.
According to official sources, the shooting occurred when Riyaz allegedly lunged for a constable’s firearm inside the hospital ward, posing a threat to medical staff and other patients.
“The police opened fire to secure the staff, including doctors and nurses, at the hospital,” read a statement from Telangana Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy’s office.
The DGP’s statement added that Riyaz had already murdered a constable and injured others before the hospital incident.
“The accused had managed to get hold of a gun at the hospital. There could have been a bloodbath had the police not intervened,” the statement said, emphasizing that officers opened fire only after considering all possible consequences.
An Accused With a Violent History
Police officials revealed that Riyaz had an extensive criminal record, including multiple assault and theft cases. His violent behaviour reportedly continued even after his arrest, which led to heightened security during his hospital stay.
Inquiry Underway
Nizamabad Commissioner of Police P. Sai Chaitanya confirmed that an inquest and postmortem would be conducted “as per protocol.”
“As per the standard operating procedure, a case has been registered and an inquiry into the encounter is on,” Chaitanya told reporters.
The Home Department , led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has been briefed about the incident.
Echoes of Hyderabad 2019
The encounter has reignited discussions about police action in Telangana. In 2019, four men accused of the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad were similarly shot dead in a police encounter, which later became the subject of a Supreme Court inquiry.
As investigations into the Nizamabad hospital encounter continue, authorities maintain that the firing was a split-second decision to prevent greater tragedy, while human rights groups are expected to closely monitor the inquiry process.
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