2 hurt in firing over pigeons

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 20

Two persons, including a woman, were injured in a firing incident at Rapur Khurd village in Ajnala following a dispute over pigeons here on Sunday evening. The police have booked around 18 persons on charges of murder bid and under the Arms Act in this connection. The injured were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Those who have been booked are Gurbir Singh and Rajbir Singh, both residents of Rapur village, Maan Singh of Bakha Tara Singh Village, Vikram Singh of Panj Garaian Nizzara, Jagbir Singh, besides around 13 other unknown persons.

The complainant, Mukhtar Masih, told the police that his brother, Bikkar Masih, reared many pigeons. On Saturday, a pigeon came out of his nest and flew away. He later caught it. He said in the evening the accused, led by Rajbir Singh, barged into his house and created a ruckus.

Gurbir Singh shouted to teach us a lesson for stealing their pigeon. Mukhtar Masih said before they could understand anything, Gurbir fired two gunshots in the air. Following this, children and women ran away and went to the neighbouring house and the accused put all the pigeons in a bag. Meanwhile, Maan Singh also took out a firearm and shot at his brother Kaka Masih who sustained a bullet injury beneath his ribs. He fell down while the accused fired two shots at him which missed him.

In the incident, a woman, identified as Sawinder Kaur of the same village, also sustained a bullet injury. She was coming out of her house when she was hit by a bullet. He said the accused later fled the spot. Both the injured were rushed to hospital.

Satish Kumar, SHO, Ajnala police station, said a case under Sections 307, 336, 450, 380, 188, 148 and 149 of the IPC and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against them and raids were on to nab them.