BAHAWALNAGAR, Aug 16: Naval officials on Thursday night attacked the Fakirwali police station and thrashed the staff and villagers locked up there in retaliation.

Naval officials, including a NFRO commander, were allegedly beaten up by villagers of Chak 441/6-R over a dispute of water turn four days ago. Villagers alleged that naval officials were involved in water theft. On the report of Cmdr Rashid Tanveer, police had arrested 36 villagers. Sources said on Thursday night, a truck full of naval officials had come from Bahawalpur and asked the SHO to hand them over villagers. The officials started beating the staff when the SHO turned down their demand. Later, they also gave sound beating to villagers locked up there. — Correspondent