Chandigarh, February 15 Two individuals, allegedly involved in the shooting of migrant laborers in the Moga district of Punjab, were arrested after an exchange of fire with the police on Sunday.
Jobanpreet sustained a bullet injury in his leg following an encounter near the Ghalkalan village, while his accomplice, Akashdeep, was also apprehended, police said.
Two migrant laborers were injured after three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire at a group of workers in the district on February 10.
Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Gandhi said on Sunday that police had prior information about the presence of the two accused involved in the shooting incident.
A police team intercepted Jobanpreet and Akashdeep, who were on a motorcycle, and signaled them to stop. However, they opened fire at the police, SSP said while speaking to reporters.
When the police retaliated, Jobanpreet sustained a bullet injury in his leg. Akashdeep, who tried to flee, was also apprehended.
The motorcycle used in the crime has also been recovered, SSP said.
Two weapons, along with four empty cartridges and one live round, have been recovered from them. The accused fired four to five rounds at the police. However, no one from the police team sustained any injury.
Police investigation revealed that the two accused, along with their other accomplice, opened fire at the laborers on February 10, on the instructions of their foreign-based handler.
"Their motive was to disturb peace in Punjab," the SSP said, adding that two persons hailing from the Ferozepur district have already been arrested for allegedly providing shelter to Jobanpreet and Akashdeep.
Another accused involved in the shooting is still at large.
The shooting incident occurred on the Zira road when the migrant workers were going for a meal after their work at a factory. Out of three accused on the motorcycle, one opened fire, and one of them made a video of the firing incident.
After the incident, an unverified post surfaced on Instagram in which a user named Nirvair Singh claimed responsibility for the firing. The post also contained a video of the purported incident.
The unverified post claimed that the firing on people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was carried out by Ladi Bhalwan and Nirvair Singh.
The post stated that the firing was carried out as a "protest" against these migrant workers who "spoiled" the atmosphere of Punjab. It also warned of more violence if migrant workers were not driven out of villages and towns.
The post had also sought to justify the attack by referring to past crimes involving migrant workers. It warned sarpanches and panchayat members who allegedly arrange Aadhaar cards for the migrant workers, and allow them to stay for the sake of votes.
Following the February 10 incident, opposition parties attacked the AAP government, asking the Bhagwant Mann dispensation to wake up from its "slumber" to act against those trying to create divisions in society.
