Armed groups exchange fire at grain market in Tarn Taran village

The Khalra police registered a case on Saturday against 13 persons belonging to two armed groups, who fired at each other on the intervening night of September 11-12.

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One group of six persons was led by Gurlal Singh of Bhikhiwind town and the second group of seven persons was headed by Gurbhej Singh Bheja of Marimegha village. ASI Gurnam Singh, Investigating Officer, said that on September 11, both the parties exchanged filthy messages on their mobiles through WhatsApp and warned of coming to the grain market in Marimegha village the same night.

Police said that Gurlal Singh along with Robinpreet Singh, Simranjit Singh and three unknown armed persons and the second group led by Gurbhej Singh Bheja along with Balraj Singh Bobby, Jagrup Singh, Muhabbat Cheema and three other unknown armed persons, appeared in the grain market of Marimegha at about 10 pm. They fired at each other for hours which terrorised the local residents with the police failing to come to the site. The residents alleged that the police did not visit the site even the next day. ASI Gurnam Singh said that both the parties fired indiscriminately at each other and used countless shells. Some empty cartridges were recovered from the spot.

Residents of the area said they were under the terror of gangsters who were seeking extortion money and in case of refusal, fired at their houses.

Taking the seriousness of the matter into consideration, the police registered a case only on Saturday. SHO Inspector Satpal Singh refused to give the reason for the delay in registering the case and asked to direct the query at DSP Paramjit Singh who refused to respond to mobile calls. Even SSP Gaurav Toora did not respond to mobile calls made to inquire into the reason about registering the case after delay. The police have registered a case under Section 109, 191 (3) and 190 of BNS and Section 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act on Saturday.

Police did not even visit spot same night

ASI Gurnam Singh, investigating officer in the case, said that on September 11, both the parties exchanged filthy messages on their mobiles through WhatsApp and warned of coming to the grain market in Marimegha village the same night. They fired at each other for hours which terrorised the local residents with the police failing to come to the site. The residents alleged that the police did not visit the site even the next day.