Three associates of Portugal-based gang nabbed with weapons

Amritsar, August 16

Amritsar rural police today claimed to have busted an organised crime syndicate backed by Portugal-based gangster Manpreet Singh, alias Mann Ghanshayampuria after they arrested three of his associates. The police have seized two pistols and a revolver, besides four mobile phones, a vehicle and Rs18,000 cash from them. Those arrested were identified as Navraj Singh of Nath ki Khui village and Gurpreet Singh and Gagandeep Singh of Mehsampur village in Mehta.

Sources said, the gangsters had recently fired gunshots at Master Book Shop in Mehta and demanded an extortion to the tune of Rs 50 lakh from the owner.

Amritsar (rural) SSP Charanjit Singh said the initial probe revealed they were planning to shoot rival gang members and the money was to procure some vehicle for the same.

Mann Ghanshampuria gang, led by Balwinder Singh Donny, has been wanted in many criminal cases in the Amritsar rural area. Recently, they had shot a youth dead on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls in Lakhowal village. Following the murder, the village had boycotted the polls. The SSP said the trio did not have any previous criminal record. — TNS