Migrant worker falls victim to gang war

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 19

An innocent migrant labourer received three bullet injuries today during a fight between two groups of youths near Bibiwala Chowk. His condition is said to be critical.

The victim of the gang war has been identified as Yogeshwar Sonu, who works as a labourer under a contractor in the Cantonment area.

Though the incident occurred around 3.30 pm, the police reached the spot quite late.

The police seemed to be groping in the dark till late evening and failed to find any clue about the boys, who, as per onlookers, appeared to be residents of nearby areas.

“They were all young, probably staying in paying guest houses, and carrying swords, sticks and pistols. The bikers came out from street number one of Baba Farid Nagar and after spotting their rival group on the road, started firing indiscriminately,” said Swaran Singh, a shopkeeper, who was at the site of the incident.

He said three boys, triple-riding on a bike and armed with swords and sharp-edged weapons were challenged by the other group whose members had a pistol and they fired three rounds.

The victim, a resident of Baba Farid Nagar, was passing by when three splinters from the pistol hit him.

The victim was hit in his neck, face and ribs. He remained lying on the road for more than 30 minutes as everybody ran in chaos.

“Panic gripped the area and shutters of all shops were brought down,” said Sudhir Goyal, a shopkeeper.

Meanwhile, all youths fled away from the scene, while one of them left behind a motorcycle.

As per the records of the Transport Department, the bike is owned by Jagsir Singh of Bathinda.

SSP Swapan Sharma said the migrant labourer was shocked after he was hit by bullet splinters and the accused fired one shot only. The accused would be arrested soon, he added.