Tension in Bharatpur village as armed men open fire over gutkha dispute

Jaipur: Tension gripped the Bayana area of Bharatpur late Monday night when armed assailants indiscriminately started firing at a grocery shop after a dispute over gutkha (pan masala). The attack left two men injured, one of whom is in critical condition, police said.

The incident occurred around 10pm in Adda village, under the jurisdiction of the Bayana police station. According to police, the altercation began at the grocery store owned by Bhaag Singh.

“Dhaniram, along with four to five men, entered the grocery shop and demanded gutkha. When the shopkeeper asked for payment, a verbal spat ensued, escalating into violence,” a policeman said.

During the chaotic scene, Deepak, a relative of the shop owner, was struck by pellets in the leg, while 28-year-old Lakhan, who was returning home from nearby fields, sustained a bullet injury to his chest after inadvertently getting caught in the crossfire.

Police confirmed the severity of Lakhan’s injuries, with SHO Shailendra Kumar saying, “Both injured men were initially taken to Bayana Hospital. Due to Lakhan’s critical condition, doctors referred him to RBM Hospital in Bharatpur, where he continues to undergo treatment. Deepak is being treated at Bayana Hospital.”

Mukesh, brother of injured Lakhan, alleged that the dispute was connected to gutkha sales in the vicinity of the grocery store. “A liquor contractor named Dhaniram came to the shop with several associates in three vehicles. They were armed and began firing after an argument broke out,” he said. Mukesh emphasised that Lakhan was an innocent bystander, claiming, “He had no connection to the dispute and became an unintended victim while returning from the fields.”

Following the incident, the assailants fled, leaving villagers in a state of fear. Family members transported the injured to the hospital and later filed a complaint at the Bayana Sadar police station. Police have registered a case and initiated a search operation to locate the accused. Investigators are also looking into the motives behind the confrontation and the involvement of all parties in the shooting.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this violent episode, local police remain vigilant in their efforts to restore safety and apprehend those responsible for the attack.