6 booked for firing outside school, assaulting students

Roorkee: Six youths, aged between 19 and 20, have been booked for rioting and attempt to murder after they allegedly opened fire and assaulted two Class 12 students outside a school in Laksar, police said on Thursday. The attack is suspected to have stemmed from an old rivalry.The incident happened on Wednesday shortly after the students, both cousins from Laksar, stepped out of their examination centre after appearing for their Class 12 board exam. Police said the accused confronted the students outside the school premises and attacked them, also firing shots during the assault. A video of the incident has surfaced on social media.Bystanders tried to catch the attackers, but they managed to flee the spot on motorcycles.Based on a complaint filed by the father of one of the assaulted students, police registered a case against Chinki, Mehul, Kavya, Ritik, Nobil and Piyush under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 190 (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting with a deadly weapon) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of BNS.The complainant alleged that one of the accused, Mehul, was known to the victims and studied with them. About six months ago, a dispute had arisen between them, which was later resolved with police intervention. However, he returned with associates, some of whom allegedly have a criminal background, and attacked the students. No injuries were reported from the firing.Police said they are analysing CCTV footage from the area and working to identify other individuals involved in the attack."Six persons have been named so far, and efforts are underway to identify others. Further action will be taken based on the investigation," said SP (Rural) SC Suyal.