ARUN KASHYAP/Haridwar
Two persons were seriously injured in a gunfight triggered by a long-continuing land dispute near Usha Town office on the Jamalpur-Jiapota Road in Haridwar on Wednesday. According to police, Atul Chauhan opened fire on Sachin Chauhan, a brother of the district Panchayat vice-chairman Amit Chauhan, and his neighbour Krishnalal Chauhan alias Nanu. Both were rushed to hospital and later referred to AIIMS, Rishikesh due to their critical condition. After the incident, the accused surrendered before the police and deposited his licensed revolver. Additional force has been deployed in the area to maintain peace, police said.
The firing reportedly took place at a site where a residential colony was being developed at the behest of Amit Chauhan. Atul had alleged that the colony was being developed on land which used to have a large number of mango trees which were chopped illegally.
The dispute turned into a brawl when officials, including the tehsildar and a team from the Haridwar Development Authority, reached the spot to investigate the complaint related to illegal cutting of trees. Ascetics from Matri Sadan were also present at the time.
According to eyewitnesses, a dispute suddenly turned violent and several rounds were fired, creating chaos in the area. On receiving information, police from Kankhal police station reached the spot and rushed the injured to the district hospital. Due to their critical condition, both were later referred to AIIMS Rishikesh where they are undergoing treatment.
Matri Sadan head Swami Shivanand, while addressing a press conference, claimed that Atul Chauhan had fired in self-defence. He said that the ascetics of Matri Sadan were present at the spot and witnessed the entire incident. He added that the tehsildar had himself come to the site for investigation.
The superintendent of police (SP), city, Abhay Partap Singh said that the accused, Atul Chauhan, had later surrendered before the police and deposited his licensed revolver. He has been taken into custody for questioning. Initial investigation suggests that the incident is linked to a long-standing dispute between Amit Chauhan and Atul Chauhan.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law and are examining CCTV footage from the area. Additional police force has been deployed to maintain law and order.
