2 involved in shooting at migrant labourers in Punjab's Moga held after encounter
Chandigarh (PTI): Two persons, allegedly involved in the shooting at migrant labourers in Punjab's Moga district, were arrested following an exchange of gunfire with the police there on Sunday.
Jobanpreet sustained a bullet injury in his leg following an encounter near Ghalkalan village, while his accomplice, Akashdeep, was also nabbed, said police.
Two migrant labourers were injured after three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire at a group of workers in the district on February 10.
Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Gandhi on Sunday said police had prior information about the presence of the two accused involved in the shooting incident.
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A police team intercepted Jobanpreet and Akashdeep, who were on a motorcycle, and signalled them to stop. But they opened fire at the police, said the SSP while speaking to reporters.
When police retaliated, Jobanpreet sustained a bullet injury in his leg. Akashdeep, who tried to run away, was also apprehended.
The bike used in the crime has also been recovered, said the SSP.
Two weapons, along with four empty shells and one live round, have been recovered from them. The accused fired four to five rounds at the police. However, no one from the police team sustained any injury.
Police investigation revealed that the two accused, along with their other accomplice, opened fire at the labourers on February 10, on the instructions of their foreign-based handler.
"Their motive was to disturb peace in Punjab," the SSP said, adding that two persons hailing from Ferozepur district have already been arrested for allegedly providing shelter to Jobanpreet and Akashdeep.
Another accused involved in the shooting is yet to be nabbed.
The shooting incident occurred on the Zira road when the migrant workers were going for a meal after their work at a factory. Out of three accused on the motorcycle, one opened fire, and one of them made a video of the firing incident.
After the incident, an unverified post surfaced on Instagram in which a user named Nirvair Singh claimed responsibility for the firing. The post also contained a video of the purported incident.
The unverified post claimed that the firing on people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was carried out by Ladi Bhalwan and Nirvair Singh.
The post had said the firing was carried out in an act of "protest" against these migrant workers who "spoil" the atmosphere of Punjab. It also warned of more violence if migrant workers were not driven out of villages and towns.
The post had also sought to justify the attack by referring to past crimes involving migrant workers. It warned sarpanches and panchayat members who allegedly arrange Aadhaar cards for the migrant workers, and allow them to stay for the sake of votes.
Following the February 10 incident, Opposition parties attacked the AAP government, asking the Bhagwant Mann dispensation to wake up from its "slumber" to act against those trying to create divisions in society.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
