Rival groups clash at Roomi village, 36 rounds fired

Our Correspondent

Jagraon, December 29

Panic gripped residents of Roomi village, near here, this afternoon when two rival groups clashed and they fired around 36 shots into the air. The clash, which continued for around 15 minutes, took place at the village grain market.

The members of both groups openly used firearms. However, there was no report of anybody being injured in the clash.

Both groups have enmity but they reached a compromise some months ago with the intervention of village Panchayat. But the members of both groups had been looking for an opportunity to settle a score.

Today's clash took place after a minor argument among a few members of both groups. After some time, a large number of youngsters arrived at the village grain market and clashed with each other. The sources said around one 100 people were involved in the clash and they were carrying firearms and sharp weapons.

As soon as the news spread, a huge police force, including SSP-Jagraon Ravcharan Singh Brar and other senior officials of the police, reached the spot. But the members of both groups had fled the spot by the time police reached there.

According to sources, illegal arms were also used during the clash. However, the police officers denied the reports of use of illegal firearms. The police have recovered more than one dozen bullet shells and live cartridges from the spot.

The investigating officer, ASI Janak Raj, said the police had registered a case against 14 persons of both groups under sections 307, 336, 148 and 149 of the IPC and sections 25, 27, 54 and 57 of the Arms Act. Further investigation is on.

Those booked by the police have been identified as Geeta, Deepa, Manpreet Singh, Gogi, Harpreet Singh Peter, Hajowanpreet Singh, Mani, Dhanoo, Anmol, Harpreet Singh, Harpinder Singh, Jagsir Singh, Gurjant Singh and Jasvir Singh. No arrest was made till the filing of this report. The police were carrying out raids to nab the culprits.

Meanwhile, Brar said no one would be allowed to play with law and order and strict action would be taken against the persons involved in the clash. "The investigation is at the initial stage and it will be early to say whether illegal firearms were used. The raids are being carried out to nab the miscreants and they will be arrested soon," added Brar.