A youth was shot at and injured when he tried to stop two bike-borne chain snatchers from robbing an elderly woman in a densely populated Sonari police station area on Friday morning.
Kalicharan Sahu, who lives near the Sonari police outpost, suffered a bullet injury in his right leg.
The incident took place near Sonari gurdwara around 7am, while the area was bustling with morning walkers. As soon as Sahu, 28, fell, some local residents rushed him to MGM Medical College and Hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
According to sources, the two bike-borne chain snatchers had stopped near an elderly couple who were returning to their Sonari home after their morning walk. After stopping the couple, one of the bikers tried to snatch the gold chain from the woman’s neck.
As Sahu was passing by, he tried to save the elderly woman. One of the bikers first asked him to leave, but when he resisted, the youth fished out a pistol and fired at Sahu’s leg.
Having fired the shot, the bike-borne duo sped away towards Kagalnagar market area. Some local residents chased them but in vain.
About 15 minutes later, police arrived at the scene. The Sonari police station officer in charge, Renu Gupta, inquired about the incident at the scene of the crime and then went over to the hospital to take a statement from the victim.
City superintendent of police Subhash Chandra Jat, who is monitoring the investigations, said: “An incident of firing took place near the gurdwara in Sonari and a youth suffered a bullet injury. We are investigating the case.”
Jat said the police were scanning footage from surveillance cameras installed at the gurdwara and adjoining buildings to identify the chain snatchers.
He said the old couple had lodged a complaint after a nudge from the police.
After the incident, the residents of Sonari have become apprehensive.
“Crimes are being committed with impunity. The criminals don’t fear the police. Even walking in our own locality could be dangerous,” local resident Satbir Singh told The Telegraph Online.
