In a brazen show of hooliganism, over a dozen and a half Nihang Singhs, wielding sabers, attacked the popular Duggal Veggie Chaap shop at Milap Chowk late on Wednesday night. The attack, which occurred just 100 yards away from Police Station 3, was said to have been prompted by a delay in the order of food.
The ordeal, according to shop owner Nishu Duggal, started when a group of Nihang Singhs showed up at approximately 8:30 p.m. and were hostile over the waiting time. After arguments and threats, the group summoned reinforcements. Within minutes, more than 18 Nihang Singhs, who were wielding swords, descended on the shop. Some entered the shop, attacking the three Duggal brothers with weapons and inflicting serious injuries, while others vandalized the counter of the shop and property outside.
In the commotion, Nishu Duggal claims that the attackers also stole a gold chain from his neck. The whole episode, ranging from the assailants brandishing swords and breaking stuff, was all caught on CCTV cameras.
Ignoring repeated appeals for assistance, the person in charge of the police station refused to respond or reach the spot, leading to outrage among the local shopkeepers. In protest, the irate businesspeople marched towards Police Station 3, encircling the building and chanting slogans against the police for their failure to act. The shopkeepers have called for immediate arrests and increased security to reassert law and order in the area.
The gravity of the incident led ACP North Atish Bhatia to the scene late at night. He assured the victims that a case had been registered and assured them of immediate action, saying the accused would soon be identified and arrested on the basis of CCTV footage.
The brazen attack, so close to a police station, has left the business community and residents deeply concerned about public safety and effective policing in Jalandhar.