TOBA TEK SINGH, Feb 20: Police claimed on Tuesday to have arrested two out of three dacoits, who had shot dead a hotel servant on Monday evening at Moongi canal rest house, after an encounter.

Reports said three robbers had looted a motorcycle, cash and mobile phone from Shahnawaz of Chak 148-GB, Chohla. Thereafter, they made off with cash and a cell phone from Amjad of Chak 520 GB.

Amjad started chasing them on a motorbike owned by his friend. In the meantime, a tyre of the dacoits’ bike burst and they fled on foot towards Moongi Adda. Amjad raised an alarm on which a hotel employee, Tanveer, overpowered one of the dacoits. His accomplices shot Tanveer dead.

Scores of villagers gathered at Moongi Adda, blocked traffic on Gojra-Moongi Road and forced their entry into a police station. The police baton-charged them and later chased the robbers who had taken refuge in a sugarcane field. The police team besieged the field. During a two-hour crossfire, the police arrested two robbers while the third managed his escape.

The police did not disclose names of the arrested and are investigating.