A frightening episode of violence disrupted Diwali celebrations in Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district when a minor dispute escalated into a deadly shooting. A heated verbal spat that began earlier in the evening at Gandhi Chowk turned violent late at night near Neemach Naka. Two masked assailants in a car targeted a young man named Anil Gurjar, opening fire indiscriminately and leaving him critically injured with a bullet wound in his abdomen.
After shooting him, the attackers assaulted the helpless youth further by striking his head with a sharp object. Leaving Anil Gurjar in a critical state on the road, the criminals quickly sped away. The sudden gunfire in a busy location created widespread panic among residents. Local bystanders rushed to help and transported the severely injured youth to the District Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Dispute at Gandhi Chowk Led to Stalking and Ambush
According to available details, the conflict originated earlier during Diwali night at Gandhi Chowk, where an argument broke out between Anil Gurjar and the suspects. Although the initial confrontation appeared to have settled down, the suspects harbored a grudge and began tracking Anil's movements across the city.
As soon as Anil reached the vicinity of Neemach Naka, the two masked men in a car intercepted him. Without warning, they fired multiple rounds directly at him. The violent attack occurring publicly on a festive evening triggered widespread shock and raised serious safety concerns across the township.
Family Protests at District Hospital Over Police Absence
As news of the attack spread across the area, a large crowd comprising Anil Gurjar's family members and supporters assembled at the District Hospital. The gathering created intense emotional strain and tension within the medical facility. Relatives directed their anger at the local Kotwali Police Station, criticizing the lack of adequate patrolling on a major holiday night.
The family expressed outrage that despite hundreds of people gathering at the hospital after a serious shooting, only a single Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was posted at the site. The delayed response from senior police officials intensified the frustration among the victim's family and local residents.
Police Investigation Underway Using CCTV Footage
Kotwali police personnel have launched an investigation into the incident. Dedicated police teams are reviewing surveillance recordings from CCTV cameras installed along the route connecting Gandhi Chowk to Neemach Naka to trace the vehicle used by the masked suspects.
Law enforcement officials stated that search operations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the culprits. Amid persistent protests by family members, police authorities assured that thorough legal action will be taken against those responsible for the violence.
