A violent clash over student union elections at a private college in Jalandhar spiraled out of control on Thursday, resulting in a dramatic exchange of gunfire that left two students and one alleged assailant injured. The incident, which unfolded near a petrol pump, saw police forced to open fire in retaliation.
Altercation Over Elections Escalates to Gunfire
The trouble began in the afternoon when a group of students from a college in the Bidhipur area had gathered at a petrol pump near Alawalpur village on Kishangarh Road. According to SSP Rural Harvinder Singh Virk, the gathering was related to the ongoing college association elections. The situation turned volatile when a rival group, allegedly led by individuals identified as Nachhatar and Lakhwinder, arrived at the spot in three cars.
An intense argument broke out between the two factions. The confrontation quickly turned violent when members of Nachhatar and Lakhwinder's group reportedly opened fire. In the ensuing chaos, two students, Gopi and Saurav, sustained gunshot wounds. Police confirmed that the injured youths are now out of danger. The entire frightening sequence was captured by the CCTV cameras installed at the petrol pump.
Police Chase and Retaliatory Firing
Acting swiftly on information, police teams launched a pursuit to apprehend the accused involved in the shooting. Three cars used by the alleged attackers were recovered during the operation. As the police closed in, one of the accused attempted to evade capture by hiding.
SSP Virk detailed that when police cornered one suspect, he opened fire at the officers. In response to this direct threat, the police were compelled to fire back in self-defense. In the retaliatory firing, the accused, identified as Lakha, was shot in his left leg and sustained injuries, a police officer stated.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local academic community, highlighting how campus politics can sometimes descend into severe violence. The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter further. The use of firearms by students and the subsequent police firing have raised serious concerns about law and order in the context of student elections.
Authorities are scrutinizing the CCTV footage to identify all individuals involved in the initial brawl and shooting. The condition of all three injured persons is reported to be stable. This event underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight during college elections to prevent such dangerous confrontations in the future.
