Stoning of Argentina hockey team bus: 3 held in Raipur

Raipur: Three youths have been arrested in connection with the alleged stoning of a bus carrying Argentina's hockey team in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur where the Hockey World League (HWL) final is being hosted, police said today.

The accused identified as Rajnarayan Tiwari (31), Meghesh Sahu (24) and Govind Sahu (26), all natives of Santoshi Nagar area, were rounded up yesterday for their involvement in stoning of the bus, Inspector General of Police, Raipur Range, G P Singh told PTI.

The incident took place on Friday late evening near Bhatagaon area when the bus carrying Argentina players was going to their hotel from the stadium, after the visitors thrashed India by 3-0 in the opening game of the event.

During preliminary investigation, police said that a child hurled a stone at a stray animal which accidentally hit the bus leaving its window pane cracked.

However, further investigation revealed that the three youths, in an inebriated state, had pelted a cow with stone which deflected after hitting the animal and struck the bus, the IG said.

No one was hurt in the incident, he said.

During interrogation, the trio confessed that they had thrown the stone at a cow which accidentally hit the bus, following which they ran from the spot fearing police action, Singh said.

A case has been registered against them based on the complaint of the bus driver, Dev Yadu, he said.

In the wake of the incident, the IG reviewed the security system in place for the players who have arrived from different nations to take part in the Hockey World League final, being hosted from November 27 to December 6 at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Hockey Stadium here, and issued necessary instructions.

"Hockey India and International Hockey Federation have expressed their satisfaction over the security arrangements for the event," the senior police officer said.