A police party, headed by Assistant Sub-Inspector Javsinhbhai Ravjibhai, reached the spot on information provided by the villagers, but retreated without challenging the dacoits when the latter sprayed missiles from their wooden catapults on the police team.

The police party took shelter in the outpost and waited for police inspector H M Solanki -- who had come from Jhalod to investigate a group clash between Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress workers at the village weekly market that evening. Solanki had reportedly gone to attend nature's call when the looting incident took place.

After his return he immediately left for the looting spot in his vehicle but it was too late as the miscreants had already fled with the booty by then. Angry residents expressed their ire against the police by assaulting the PI who was slightly injured and also damaged his vehicle. Villagers also attacked the police outpost and damaged furniture and communication gadgets among other things.

Special Inspector General of Police, Vadodara Range, D D Tuteja, said: ``It is really a very serious thing. It is surprising that cops did not fire even a single bullet in the air to scare the dacoits.'' Tuteja said he immediately suspended the cops on receiving the information and ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Tuteja was also contemplating action against PI and asked for an explanation from District Superintendent of Police, Dahod, K L N Rao. ``Nobody, howsoever high he or she may be, will be spared if found guilty,'' Tuteja said. He added that the DSP did not inform him promptly of the exact nature of the incident and role of the local police.