Wedding celebrations turn into mourning as two groups open fire during clash

Wedding celebrations turned into mourning after a clash between two groups at Bath Castle marriage palace on the Pakhowal road led to the death of two persons, including a woman, on Saturday night. The groom, Varinder Kapoor, a contractor, lost his maternal aunt Neeru Chhabra (36), a resident of Jalandhar, and his childhood friend Vasu Chopra (36) of Ludhiana due to firing.

A few minutes after the groom entered the marriage palace, both groups clashed and fired bullets at each other. Both victims, who were standing there, suffered bullet injuries and died on the spot. After the incident, panic spread in the area. The groom also ran for safety as bullets were being fired from both sides.

The groom’s house and his friend Vasu’s house are located near each other. Vasu was the sole breadwinner in the family.

“Vasu was the only earning hand in the family. About a year ago, he had lost his father and over two years ago, his paternal uncle passed away. He was not only looking after his own family that consists of a one-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son, but he was also feeding his uncle’s family after his death,” said Vasu’s kin.

They said what was the fault of Vasu who went to attend the marriage of his friend. A rivalry between two groups cost lives of two persons. Marriage palace owners are equally responsible for such incidents as they fail to prevent the entry of weapons in wedding venues.

“The suspects had put the lives of about 700 persons at risk as the way they were firing gunshots there could have been more casualties,” they said.

The groom said he had just entered the venue and some marriage rituals were going on when the two groups indulged in a clash and fired shots at each other. “I along with my family went underneath the stage for safety. I am not aware about those who opened fire. Our celebrations have turned into mourning. I have lost my aunt and childhood friend,” he said.