Amritsar, November 9: A man was killed and a Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector was shot and injured after a dispute over a gold transaction escalated into firing in Amritsar on Diwali night, Sunday, November 8. The firing took place near Ranjhe Di Haveli on Sultanwind Road, and the man who died on the spot was identified as Pratap Singh.

Source: HindFirst

ASI Harnek Singh, posted at the B-Division police station, was at the spot when the firing took place. He sustained two bullet injuries to his thigh and was rushed to hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, according to HindFirst and TV9 Punjabi, which reported the same details from Amritsar.

Source: TV9 Punjabi

What police say happened

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravinder Sandhu told the media that the dispute involved two brothers and their friends, and that Pratap Singh had reportedly given 1,400 grams of gold to his friends, which became the source of the dispute, HindFirst reported. Several people had earlier tried to resolve the matter between the two sides, but those efforts failed and a fresh argument broke out on Sunday.

According to the ACP's account reported by HindFirst, one side approached the police and lodged a complaint, and an ASI was sent to the spot. As soon as the police team reached the location, the accused allegedly opened fire. When the ASI and Senior Constable Sahib Singh, alias Saba, managed to apprehend one of the brothers, his other associates allegedly arrived from behind and opened direct fire. The firing is described as alleged at this stage; no court finding has been reported.

Investigation under way

A team from the B-Division police station reached the spot after the firing and launched an investigation. Police are examining the circumstances leading to the incident and collecting evidence to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved, HindFirst reported. Punjab Newsline, reporting the same incident, said the investigation has been handed over to the B-Division police station and that police are investigating the dispute and the role of the youths involved in the firing.

Source: Punjab Newsline

No arrest had been reported in the accounts published so far, and police said further details were awaited.