On Wednesday, a relative of a Congress municipal councilor died in an argument between Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supporters. The dead has been identified as Puneet Kumar, the brother-in-law of Neelam Rani, a Congress councilor from Ward 1.
For the suspected murder, the police have booked Ravi, Sahib Singh, Najjar, Moji, Raja, Neelu, and Tota.
Since the civic body elections, there has been a rivalry between the supporters of both parties, and there have also been reports of minor altercations in the past. On February 14, 2021, election day for the municipal council, supporters of the two parties threw stones at one another, injuring 15 people as a result.
The supporters of both parties again clashed today around 4.30 pm, resulting in numerous injuries. Puneet died among the injured who were transported to a local hospital. Four others were referred to PGI, Chandigarh.
In a statement to police, Ashok Singh, a brother of the deceased Puneet, stated that he, Puneet, and Sunny were on their way home when the accused, along with numerous other unidentified people, attacked them with sharp-edged weapons.
According to SHO Ropar Pawan Kumar, an investigation has begun after a case was filed against seven suspects under Sections 302, 323, 307, 148, 149, and 341 of the IPC.