5 held for Diwali night murder in Kotkapura

The police have arrested five persons, including two key accused, and detained a juvenile in connection with the firing incident on Diwali night in Kotkapura that resulted in a death.

The incident, which the police state was fuelled by personal rivalry, occurred late on Diwali when a man named Naresh Kumar was critically injured at a firecracker stall on Bathinda Road near the Central Bank in Kotkapura. The victim later succumbed to his injuries at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot.

The attack on Naresh Kumar occurred when one of the main accused, Ladi Nihang, allegedly fired at the victim with the intent to kill during a confrontation at the stall.

The victim's cousin, Lalit, alleged that the incident stemmed from an earlier confrontation a day before Diwali where a group of boys created a ruckus, fought and stole Rs 10,000 from the cash box. Lalit claimed that despite filing a complaint at the Thana City Kotkapura police station, no action was initially taken by the police.

He further alleged that the same group returned on Diwali and fired three shots, one of which hit his cousin in the stomach. Lalit expressed frustration over the alleged police inaction, stating, "Had they acted in time, this would not have happened,” and demanded justice and immediate arrest of the attackers.