In a violent confrontational incident in Gurdaspur, Punjab’s district on Thursday evening one person was killed and two others injured seriously. Substance abuse and drug trafficking were possible suspects in the attack, but authorities were getting reports that the fight had started over a mobile phone with the deceased man.
The episode happened at around 8:30 pm in the village, which is part of Sri Hargobindpur Sahib Assembly constituency. They were identified as Bikramjit Singh and they were both seriously injured, Nishan Singh, and Gurmukh Singh were also injured.
The brawl is alleged to have started when some youths were riding motorcycles through the village, causing a nuisance, according to the injured Gurmukh Singh. About 10 to 15 locals attacked the three men with sharp edged instruments when they faced them, according to the witnesses.
Gurmukh Singh also said there were reports that the attackers were involved in drug use and drug selling. But these claims have not yet been substantiated and the police are investigating the allegations.
Bikramjit Singh’s brother Ranjit Singh had a different take on the incident however, denying the claim of drug link to the clamor.
Ranjit Singh said they were fighting over a mobile phone that belonged to “Jagroop Singh”, a youth. He claimed the mobile was with another youth named Prince and that when Prince was asked to give it to Bikramjit Singh, there was an argument. According to reports, Bikramjit Singh attempted to settle the argument before he was beaten up.
Police say they’ve reported charges against 15 people after the incident. They have also said that the drug peddling charges are being researched.
Both sides have left a lot of the details of the event open to question, and police are expected investigate the day’s events and determine who was involved.