2 shot dead in clash over dera control in Barnala district, SHO suspended

The complainant also stated that the murder was “pre-planned” as all the CCTV cameras were also shut down before the incident.

Two men were shot dead in a clash between two groups at a religious dera of Sant Parmanand at Tapa, 40 km from here, in Barnala district on Friday.

Police take control of the dera Parmanand premises at Tapa in Barnala district following a shootout that killed two dera members. (HT Photo)

The deceased were identified as Lachhmi Narayan and Gulab Ram, who were part of a group within a family that has been in a dispute over control of the dera. The fatal clash was triggered during prayers around 6.30 am, police said.

Outside the dera where the clash took place.

The Barnala district police later suspended area station house officer Sanjeev Singla on a complaint of a man named Gopal Dass who accused him of not having seized in advance the weapons of those who fired the fatal shots even as the weapons of the other party had been taken by the police into their possession.