A violent altercation at the busy Babu Jagjivan Chowk (Bhaiya Mandi Chowk) in Jalandhar triggered panic on Thursday. The reports of a group of youths who allegedly attacked a man in broad daylight came in light. The incident unfolded on one of the city's main roads and drew attention of the passersby and led to violence before police reached the spot.
According to the victim and his family, the youth had come to the area to purchase medicine when he was allegedly circled by a group of men from the Basti Guja locality. The confrontation quickly turned violent. The accused allegedly attempted to strike the head of the young man with a heavy sewer chamber cover. The victim claimed the attackers attempted to put his life at risk and also threatened to kill him by opening gunshots at them.
worsening, she was also attacked by the accused along with her brother. The argument escalated to a point that the accused tore the clothes of the victim’s sister. She also claimed that the accused threatened to shoot the family that left them frightened.
The family also accused the suspects—identified as Kali, Chhanga, Neeraj Nepali, and Deevu—of being involved in drug-related activities. According to the family, the attack occurred when the victim had merely arrived in the area to buy medicines. Residents present at the scene expressed concern over the police response, alleging that officers reached the spot nearly one-and-a-half hours after the incident despite the fight continued on the road for that period. They claimed the delay allowed the accused to flee before law enforcement arrived.
Adding another dimension to the case, was victim’s mother who was present at the scene. She identified Chhanga as her son-in-law. She alleged that her daughter had married him in a love marriage against the family's wishes and claimed that he frequently assaulted her daughter as well. She alleged that his violent behaviour had now extended to other members of the family. She also mentioned that his own son in law consumes drugs and takes up fights in the locality without any reason.
The injured youth asserted that he had visited the area only to buy medicine and alleged that the accused attempted to kill him by striking him with a sewer cover. He demanded strict legal action against those responsible. After reaching the scene, police stated that the accused had fled before officers arrived. Police also denied the allegations linking the accused to drug-related activities, saying such claims had not been verified. Officials said statements of the victim and his family were being recorded and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on the investigation.
The injured youth was shifted to the Civil Hospital for medical treatment. Police have launched an investigation to determine the sequence of events and identify all those involved in the assault.
