A late-night confrontation between two rival groups in Ludhiana turned violent, resulting in a young man being shot and injured. The incident, which highlights the dangerous use of social media to orchestrate violence, occurred in the Shakti Nagar locality of the Tibba area past midnight on Saturday.
From Online Taunts to Real-World Violence
The roots of the clash lie in an ongoing rivalry. Police investigation revealed that the groups had been involved in previous altercations. This time, the confrontation was premeditated and arranged through social media. Both groups reportedly challenged each other on Instagram, agreeing to meet at Shakti Nagar to "face each other." Acting on this digital provocation, the youngsters gathered at the designated spot, armed and ready for a fight.
Gunfire and Injury in Residential Area
The situation quickly escalated beyond a mere scuffle. While both sides were armed with sharp-edged weapons, one group also possessed a firearm. During the violent clash, gunshots were fired, and a bullet struck 22-year-old Balraj Chauhan in his back. The sound of gunfire alerted residents of Shakti Nagar, who rushed out of their homes and informed the Tibba police.
Balraj Chauhan was immediately rushed to the Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital for treatment. Medical officials have reported his condition to be stable. However, police officials mentioned that his formal statement is yet to be recorded as part of the ongoing probe.
Police Probe and Criminal Histories
Sub-Inspector Amarjit Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Tibba police station, provided details of the incident. He confirmed that the police are actively investigating and will register a case against both gangs involved. Three accused have been identified so far: Kaka, Vishu, and China. The police probe has uncovered that the accused named Kaka already has a previous firing case registered against him.
Authorities suspect that other individuals involved in this clash may also have criminal backgrounds. The police are currently verifying the criminal histories of all potential accused. This incident has raised concerns about the use of platforms like Instagram to instigate violence and the ease with which rivalries spill onto the streets with deadly weapons.
