Police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) have arrested seven individuals in connection with a violent confrontation and gunfire incident that erupted near the Langar Sahib Gurdwara at Naginaghat on Saturday evening. The arrests followed a coordinated inter-district and inter-state operation launched by the authorities.
Violence Erupts Near Sacred Site
The tense situation unfolded on Saturday near the gurdwara, prompting local law enforcement to spring into action. Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar confirmed to the media that reports of a public clash and gunfire were received. Recognizing the seriousness of the incident, SP Kumar personally led a team to the spot to assess the situation, conduct an inspection, and ensure order was restored.
Cross-Complaints and Legal Action
In the aftermath, cross-FIRs (First Information Reports) were registered by both involved parties, naming suspects from each side. The first complaint was filed by hotel operator Kamalpreet Singh Sindhu (33), a resident of Abchalnagar. He alleged that an argument between visiting pilgrims and locals Manjyot Singh Sheti and Paramjit Singh Chawla escalated. When Sindhu attempted to intervene, a pilgrim, aged around 30-35, allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot him in the thigh. The complaint also states another pilgrim assaulted Chawla with a stick.
Based on Sindhu's account, the Wazirabad police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
A counter FIR was subsequently filed by Lovepreet Singh Chahal (21), from Punjab's Firozpur district. Chahal's version claims that around 5:30 PM on Saturday, Sindhu, Paramjit, and four others attacked him and his companions with swords and sticks near the gurdwara, allegedly stemming from a previous altercation on January 2. A separate case was registered under the BNS and Arms Act based on this complaint.
Inter-State Manhunt Leads to Arrests
To apprehend those involved, the Nanded police formed five special teams. "A team was sent to Punjab, while others were deployed at Akola, Ardhapur, Bidar and neighbouring states," stated SP Abinash Kumar. Acting on intelligence inputs, the coordinated effort led to the arrest of two accused directly from Nanded. The remaining five were apprehended in a joint operation with police forces from Akola, Buldhana, and Nanded districts.
The swift action highlights the police's response to the grave incident, which threatened communal harmony and public safety in the area. Investigations into the exact sequence of events and the roles of all accused are ongoing.
