Batala: 4 killed in group clash over water at Sri Hargobindpur

Batala, July 8

Four persons were killed after two groups clashed in Sri Hargobindpur late on Sunday night over the distribution of water for agricultural purposes. The incident took place near the city’s main intersection, also known as Traffic Light Chowk. The deceased have been identified as Shamsher Singh, Baljit Singh, Nirmal Singh and Balraj Singh. Batala SSP Ashwini Gotyal said a case had been registered at the Sri Hargobindpur police station.

Eight injured persons were taken to the Batala Civil Hospital, where doctors referred them to a private hospital in Amritsar. According to the police, both groups fired around 50 rounds, but eyewitnesses said that more than a 100 rounds were fired.

Gotyal said the police were investigating the events that led to the clash, adding that things could have turned worse had a police party not intervened.

“The vehicle of the Sri Hargobindpur SHO was also fired upon. The vehicle bears gunshot marks. When the police arrived at the scene, some villagers assumed that they had come to arrest them, so they panicked and opened fire. If the patrol vehicle had not arrived, things could have turned worse,” she said.

A police officer said the incident was a culmination of tension that had been simmering between the two groups for several days.