Jamshedpur Crime: Youth critical after 11-round firing, shifted to Kolkata
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Jamshedpur, August 3: Panic gripped the Muslim Basti locality under the Burmamines police station area on Sunday night…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jamshedpur, August 3: Panic gripped the Muslim Basti locality under the Burmamines police station area on Sunday night after armed assailants allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on a 24-year-old man, leaving him critically injured in what police suspect was a premeditated attack.
The victim, Aftab Alam, sustained three bullet injuries—one in the back and two in the abdomen—after the attackers allegedly fired at least 11 rounds near the Container Yard in the locality.
After receiving emergency treatment, doctors referred him to Fortis Hospital, Kolkata, due to the severity of his injuries. His family shifted him to Kolkata by ambulance late on Sunday night for advanced medical care.
The brazen attack has triggered fear among residents and renewed concerns over the growing audacity of criminals in Jamshedpur.
Police recover 11 empty cartridges
Police recovered 11 empty cartridge cases from the crime scene and launched an intensive investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate that around six armed assailants, travelling on two motorcycles, carried out the attack before fleeing.
According to eyewitnesses, Aftab was sitting with four friends near the Container Yard on Sunday evening. As the group began heading home, gunshots were allegedly fired from three different directions.
While the others managed to escape, Aftab collapsed after being hit. Witnesses alleged that the attackers then approached him and fired several more rounds at close range before fleeing. His four companions escaped unhurt.
Residents stage protest, demand arrests
The shooting sparked protests outside the Burmamines police station, where local residents gathered late into the night demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Senior police officers, including the City DSP, reached the spot and assured the protesters that swift action would be taken, following which the situation was brought under control.
Tension also prevailed at Tata Main Hospital (TMH), where supporters and relatives of the injured youth staged a demonstration demanding immediate arrests. Additional police personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Family alleges drug mafia link
Family members and local residents alleged that a man identified as Bandhu and his associates were behind the attack, claiming they had long been associated with the illegal narcotics trade in the area.
Police, however, have not officially named any suspect and said the investigation is progressing on all possible angles.
Drug de-addiction campaign angle under probe
Adding a new dimension to the investigation, Aftab’s family and friends claimed that he had actively participated in a drug de-addiction awareness campaign organised by Burmamines police just a day before the shooting.
They alleged that his vocal opposition to the illegal drug trade may have made him a target. Police, however, said it would be premature to attribute the attack to any single motive.
Investigators are examining all possible angles, including personal enmity, criminal rivalry and the allegations relating to the illegal drug trade.
Police teams are analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and conducting raids to identify and apprehend those involved.
“The investigation is at a crucial stage. We are examining every possible angle and have collected important evidence from the scene. No possibility is being ruled out, and efforts are on to identify and arrest all those responsible at the earliest,” a senior police officer said.
