Chandigarh (PTI): Four people were shot dead as two groups of villagers in Punjab's Gurdaspur district opened fire at another apparently over an old rivalry, police said on Monday.

They said the incident took place in Batala's Vithwan village on Sunday night, adding that there were 13 people in total in the two groups.

Two people from each of the groups died in the firing, police said.

They said eight people were injured in the incident and hospitalised.

An FIR has been registered, police said, adding that further investigation was underway.

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Amethi: The family of a woman who was killed along with her husband and two daughters in Amethi has refuted the police's claim that she was involved in an affair with the accused, Chandan Verma. Instead, they allege that Verma harassed her and took photos without her consent.

The victims, identified as Poonam, her husband, a government schoolteacher, and their two daughters, were found shot dead in their home in the Ahorwa Bhawani area of Amethi. Poonam's brother, Bhanu, told the media that Verma used to harass his sister and forced her to talk to him. He further alleged that Verma had taken photos with her without her consent, which are now being circulated. "Had the local police acted on my sister's FIR, this incident could have been prevented," Bhanu stated.

The police, however, maintained that the murders took place after an alleged affair between Verma and Poonam ended. Verma, a resident of Rae Bareli, claimed he had been in a relationship with Poonam for the past 18 months. He reportedly reached the victims' house on Thursday, got into an argument, and then shot the family.

After the murders, Verma tried to kill himself, but the gun misfired. On Saturday, he was shot in the leg when he allegedly opened fire at a police team.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met the family members of the victims in Lucknow on Saturday. Offering condolences, Adityanath assured the family that strict action would be taken and promised financial assistance and a government job for a family member. "The UP government stands with the bereaved family with full sympathy and commitment," he stated.

The police disclosed that Poonam had lodged a complaint against Verma on August 18 in Rae Bareli for harassment, but no substantial action was taken.