Six people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in gang rivalry over construction material supply that led to opening of fire and two people getting injured at Purba Putiary early on Friday.
Police said the groups of Victor Bhattacharya, the man who allegedly opened fire, and Pankaj Saha, who was hit by the bullet, have been active in pockets of Regent Park, Bansdroni, Naktala and Netajinagar in influencing and forcing promoters to take construction materials only from them.
“Several members of both gangs were present at the spot where the altercation broke out over the place where sand was to be unloaded from a lorry,” said an officer.
Saha, 39, and Abhijit Mullick, 33, were supervising the unloading at Tentultala in Purba Putiary around 4.30am on Friday when two men opened fire. One bullet hit Saha’s abdomen and the other pierced Mullick’s lower abdomen.
The police later arrested Saha’s arch rival Bhattacharya and his associate Malay Bhuniya for opening fire. They were booked under sections of attempt to murder.
Saha, who received a bullet in his abdomen, had grabbed a brick and hit Bhattacharya. A separate case has been initiated against Saha for grievously injuring Bhattacharya.
The police said there were more people at the spot from the gangs.
Saha’s associates Ranjit Dutta, Rinku Das and Piyal Barua and Bhattacharya’s associates, identified as Abhijit Das, Sayan and Bitu Das were arrested.
Cops said three of them were booked for attempt to murder while the other three for causing grievous injuries.
Sources said till a few years ago, Bhattacharya and Saha were business partners. But they started competing with each other following a rift over distribution of business profits.