[quote font_size=”16″ font_style=”italic” color=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#c96874″]Jammu-Pathankot NH blocked[/quote]
JAMMU: A Guard of Excise department was killed in a shootout at Kathua Railway Station on Tuesday afternoon following group clash between the members of the Truck Union. Two truck drivers have received critical injuries in firing.
The killing sparked widespread protests in the area, resulting in traffic blockade on Jammu-Pathankot Highway for over five hours. The protesters were demanding arrest of the accused, who managed to flee after the shoot-out.
The clash between the two groups started after one of the group leader went to the Additional DC Kathua to get the orders for re-elections of the Truck Union.
The officer didn’t intervene as the matter was pending disposal in the court, informed an eye witness.
Later, when all the members gathered at the Truck Union office near Lakhanpur Toll Post, verbal dual ensued. This gradually led to scuffle. Amid heated arguments, Kuldeep Singh alias Kingoo, President of the Truck Union, opened fire killing the Excise Guard Kuldeep Kumar 53, resident of ward No 2 Kathua and posted at Lakhanpur Toll Post on the spot. “The accused had fired on the members of rival group. However, the bullet missed the target and hit the Guard on duty killing him one the spot”, sources said.
Kingoo again opened fire injuring Bhupinder Singh (45), son of Lala Singh, resident of Lachipura and Mohinder Singh (50), son of Sardar Singh, resident of Rajbagh.
Both of them received bullet injuries on their legsThey were later shifted to GMC hospital Jammu.
Family members of Bhupinder Singh, Mohinder Singh and the members of Truck Union blocked the NH at two places-near Lachipura and Rajbagh, demanding the arrest of Kingoo and his brothers who managed to flee after the shootout.
Police has registered case FIR 327/14 under Section 302, 307 RPC and 3/25 Arms Act. The family members of Kingoo have gone underground.
SSP Mohan Lal while talking to STATE TIMES said that four persons have been arrested in connection with the murder while manhunt has been launched after constituting seven teams to apprehend the main accused.
Truck Union members demanded the arrest of President Truck Union as also Ranjit Singh, Amarjit Singh, Mohinder Singh, Yashpal Singh, Rangila Singh, Mishra and Charanjit Singh.