Were Two Accused in Cloth Merchant Murder Shot Dead in Punjab?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two suspects involved in the murder of Sanjay Verma were shot dead by police.
- The incident raises concerns about trader safety in Punjab.
- Public trust in law enforcement is being questioned.
- The AAP and BJP are responding to the crime politically.
- Police efforts are ongoing to capture remaining suspects.
Chandigarh, July 8 (NationPress) Two suspects linked to the murder of well-known cloth merchant Sanjay Verma in Abohar, Punjab, were eliminated during a police encounter on Tuesday, as reported by DIG (Ferozepur Range) Harmanbir Singh Gill.
The suspects, identified as Ram Ratan and Jaspreet, were apprehended in the Panj Peer Tibba region of Abohar.
During the operation, two of their accomplices opened fire at the police, prompting a self-defensive response from law enforcement, resulting in both suspects suffering fatal injuries. One police officer was injured in the crossfire and has been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
According to DIG Gill, a total of five individuals were implicated in the murder. Three of them arrived on a motorcycle to execute the crime, while the other two assisted in their getaway using a car. All five were part of a conspiracy to commit this act.
During questioning, the suspects revealed that they had hidden their clothes and weapons in the wooded area of Panj Peer Tibba following the crime. The police were conducting a recovery operation in that area when the encounter took place.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, with the police having gained critical leads in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the BJP, led by its chief Sunil Jakhar, organized a protest in Abohar regarding the murder, stating, “If any trader receives a ransom call from gangsters, they may now consider complying instead of relying on government support.”
Jakhar emphasized that public trust in the state government has eroded.
Taking a firm stance on the murder, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora stated that Punjab Police would soon bring all responsible parties to justice. He visited the victim’s family to convey his condolences.
Questioning the BJP’s involvement, Arora noted that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had claimed responsibility for the murder, despite Bishnoi being incarcerated in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail, which is governed by the BJP.
He further mentioned that Sanjay Verma's brother, Jagat Verma, questioned Sunil Jakhar on Monday regarding why the BJP-led Central government and the Home Ministry are allegedly providing protection to gangsters within central jails.