Amritsar Police Crack Down on Extortion and Firing Incident
The Amritsar Police Commissionerate announced a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, claiming to have solved a brazen case of extortion and firing that targeted a local grocery shop owner. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the Fatehgarh Churian Road area, involved a masked assailant opening fire inside the business premises.
Details of the Fatehgarh Churian Road Attack
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar provided a detailed account of the crime. He stated that on December 8, a masked attacker entered a grocery shop and opened fire at the owner and his son with clear intent to kill. Fortunately, no one was injured in the shocking assault. The assailant then fled the scene on a motorcycle with two accomplices who were waiting outside.
Initially, the victim, likely due to fear, hesitated to cooperate fully with the police. However, law enforcement officers pursued the case independently. Their investigation led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on December 9 at the Amritsar Sadar police station. The case was filed under relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the stringent Arms Act.
Swift Action and Dramatic Arrests
Acting on specific intelligence gathered during the probe, the police team moved quickly to apprehend the suspects. They arrested three accused individuals identified as Nirmaljot Singh alias Jot, Manpreet Singh alias Mangu, and Karandeep Singh.
The operation took a dramatic turn during the recovery of the weapon used in the crime. When police personnel went to retrieve the pistol near the Verka–Batala Bypass, the main accused, Nirmaljot Singh, attempted to fire at the officers. In immediate retaliation to neutralize the threat, the police shot him in the leg.
From the accused, the police successfully recovered a country-made pistol, several live cartridges, and a car believed to have been used in the crime. Commissioner Bhullar confirmed that the primary motive behind the attack was monetary gain and extortion.
Conclusion and Police Assurance
This case highlights the challenges businesses face from organized extortion rackets and the proactive stance of the Amritsar police. Despite the initial reluctance of the complainant, the police's independent investigative work proved crucial in cracking the case within a short timeframe.
The arrest of the three accused and the recovery of the weapon and vehicle underscore the police's commitment to maintaining law and order. The incident serves as a stern warning to criminal elements that such acts of violence for financial extortion will be met with swift and decisive action by the authorities in Amritsar.
