Assaulted, 15-year-old boy bleeds to death before getting medical care

Patiala: A 15-year-old boy was killed in a group assault in Sangrur on Monday night, bleeding to death before he could receive treatment at the civil hospital. His 17-year-old cousin, who tried to save him, was also assaulted and remains in critical condition.The deceased, Arshdeep Singh alias Ankush, and his cousin Avneet Singh, both residents of Sangrur, were allegedly attacked with sharp-edged weapons by a group of local youths near Patiala Gate.According to police, Arshdeep had gone to deliver tea to his father, who runs a food cart near Sunami Gate, and had returned home when he was allegedly lured out by acquaintances. He was then attacked, and Avneet was injured when he intervened.Avneet was given primary treatment before being referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.The SHO of Sangrur City police station, Gulab Singh, said a case had been registered on a complaint by the victim's father. While the two main accused are absconding, four associates who allegedly sheltered them have been arrested. "The motive is not yet clear. It appears to have stemmed from an earlier altercation, but the facts will emerge once the main accused are in custody," the SHO said.The incident triggered protests, with family members and locals refusing to cremate the body until assurances of swift arrests were given.The impasse ended after Sangrur SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal met the family and assured them of a fair probe and early arrests. Police have since deployed additional personnel and launched a manhunt to trace the absconding accused.