PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, May 27: Panic spread across Jamshedpur’s Golmuri area after criminals allegedly opened fire at two locations within five hours late on Tuesday night, raising fears of an escalating gang rivalry and extortion network in the city.
The first incident was reported around 8.30 pm near the Gurudwara behind Namda Basti, while the second firing took place around 12.55 am outside the residence of a man identified as Raj.
Three rounds fired outside house
According to police, miscreants fired three rounds during the second incident, with one bullet hitting Raj’s Thar vehicle parked outside his house.
Eyewitnesses said three youths arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire and fled from the spot within minutes, leaving local residents terrified.
Extortion threat before attack
Raj told police that shortly before the firing, he received a phone call from a person identifying himself as “Kundi”, who allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh in extortion money.
The caller also allegedly threatened him with dire consequences if the demand was not fulfilled.
Police said the caller warned Raj that he would be “sent upstairs like Kanhaiya Yadav”, referring to the murder of Kanhaiya Yadav, who was shot dead a few months ago in a case where Kundi’s name had also surfaced.
Gang rivalry angle under probe
Police sources suspect the incident may be linked to jailed criminal Billa Pathak. Names of Aman Shekhar, Kundi and Veer Singh have also surfaced in the investigation for allegedly orchestrating the attack.
Following the incidents, Golmuri police launched an intensive probe. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned and raids are underway to trace the accused.
Investigators are probing the case from both extortion and gang rivalry angles.