1 injured in firing at ex-sarpanch’s house

In a late-night incident, unidentified assailants fired at the residence of former Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) sarpanch Kamal Bengali in Ram Nagar Colony under the limits of the Sadar police station, leaving one person injured.

The injured has been identified as Babu Ram, son of resident of Ram Nagar Colony. He sustained a bullet injury on his left thigh while another shot grazed his chest. He was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital for treatment.

According to Kamal Bengali, the attack was linked to a demand for Rs 20,000 allegedly sought from his son Vikram by a man, Peeta, and his associates a day earlier. He claimed that on Thursday night around 11 pm, Peeta, along with Jas, Yoddha, Aman, Kali, Dalip, Pawan, Nishan, Veeru and other unidentified accomplices, arrived on motorcycles armed with revolvers and sharp-edged weapons. They allegedly attacked the house with glass bottles and fired indiscriminately, discharging nearly a dozen rounds before fleeing while issuing threats.

On receiving information, ACP Rishabh Bhola and Station House Officer Verka Harsandeep Singh reached the spot. Residents handed over five empty cartridges to the police. Bengali has demanded security from the Police Commissioner, warning of a protest outside the Sadar police station if swift action is not taken against the accused.

However, SHO Harsandeep Singh said no evidence of extortion demand has emerged so far. Based on Bengali’s statement, the police have registered a case against Peeta, Jas, Yoddha, Aman, Kali, Dalip, Pawan, Nishan, Veeru and other unidentified suspects for firing and issuing threats. Raids are on to nab the accused.