Punjab: Law student kills woman classmate inside classroom, then shoots himself
Chandigarh (PTI): A first-year law student in Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Monday allegedly shot dead his fellow woman student in the head inside the classroom before turning the gun on himself and pulling the trigger, as horrified classmates watched.
The weapon used in the crime appeared to be illegal, police said, adding that the accused, Prince Raj, 20, -- the son of a retired Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel -- was critically injured and undergoing treatment, while Sandeep Kaur, 19, died on the spot.
Both Prince and Sandeep were first-year law students and classmates at Mai Bhago Law College in Usma village in Tarn Taran.
A family member of Sandeep alleged that Prince had been harassing her for some time, while her mother, Harjinder Kaur, questioned how a student managed to bring a firearm into the college. Sandeep was engaged to be married, her family said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagbir Singh said Prince opened fire on Sandeep inside the classroom shortly before the class was to begin and then turned the gun on himself.
Prince was taken to Guru Nanak Dev hospital in Amritsar, where his condition was stated to be critical, police said.
Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba said an investigation was underway to determine the motive behind the killing.
"Prima facie, they appear to have been friends. Possibly, the friendship turned bitter. It is all part of the investigation," he said, adding that police will question the friends and family members of the duo.
The SSP said an FIR has been registered on the complaint of the family of the deceased.
The entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera installed in the classroom. The footage showed Prince, Sandeep, and another female student sitting together, while some other students could also be seen.
Suddenly, Prince got up, took out a pistol from his bag and shot Sandeep. He then shot himself in the head and fell on the floor. The shocked student, sitting with Sandeep, got up and checked on her, but she was motionless.
A few students rushed inside the classroom after hearing the gunshot, but fled upon seeing Sandeep.
Sandeep's mother said she got a call from the college authorities, informing her that her daughter had been injured.
"I was not told that she was shot," Harjinder told reporters, adding that when she reached the college, she found her daughter lying motionless.
A widow and the sole breadwinner of the family, Harjinder has seven daughters, including Sandeep, and a son.
Prince hailed from Mallian village, while Sandeep was a resident of Naushehra Pannuan village.
Police have deployed additional force on the campus and called a forensic team. Investigators are probing how the accused procured the weapon and how it was brought into the college premises, officials said.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
