Armed assailants fire at medical stores in Gurdaspur, Batala villages, create terror

Two firing incidents in adjacent villages have created a fear psychosis among residents of Fatehgarh Churian and Dera Baba Nanak assembly seats.

Around 9.15 am, an Activa-borne person fired gunshots at a medical store in Kalanaur of Dera Baba Nanak sub-division. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Aditya said investigations into the case had been fast-tracked. “We intend to arrest the accused soon,” said the SSP. The son of the medical store owner, who is based in Canada, received a call last night asking for the telephone number of his father who runs the shop. When the son asked the caller why were they asking for his father’s mobile number, the caller replied, “We are men of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.”

Bhagwanpuria, who is at present incarcerated in Silchar jail in Assam on several criminal charges, is a known gangster of the area. Recently, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had also claimed that he was a threat to his family.

Officials say the Gurdaspur police started working on the leads immediately after the incident took place. “The police acted with alacrity. They are investigating the case and have also stumbled upon some clues based on which they will arrest the accused soon,” said an official.

In another incident which happened hours later, two motorcycle-borne persons fired at a chemist shop in Dalam village of Fatehgarh Churian assembly seat. Joga Singh (44), an ex-Congress sarpanch who is also the owner of the shop, was fired upon and a bullet hit him in the shoulder. He was taken to a nearby hospital where his condition is said to be stable.

The assailants later fled towards Dera Baba Nanak.

Dalam village falls under Qila Lal Singh police station. Joga Singh is a close associate of former cabinet minister and sitting MLA of Fatehgarh Churian, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa. “The state government must check the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Such incidents are uncalled for,” said Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa.

SSP, Batala, Suhail Qasim Mir said both the accused had been arrested. The incident, say police sources, was orchestrated by foreign-based gangster Amrit Dalam. “We have also confiscated the arms used in the firing. Amrit Dalam also has a UAPA case registered against him. He is the one behind the firing,” said SSP Qasim Mir.

While Kalanaur falls in Gurdaspur police district, Qila Lal Singh falls under the ambit of Batala police district.