Facebook remarks take violent turn

Social networking websites, like Facebook, popular for providing a platform to make new friends can also be a reason for animosity. A shopkeeper and his brother were allegedly attacked by activists of the Sikh Student Federation with sharp-edged weapons over alleged unpleasant remarks on Facebook about their leaders.

Social networking websites, like Facebook, popular for providing a platform to make new friends can also be a reason for animosity.

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A shopkeeper and his brother were allegedly attacked by activists of the Sikh Student Federation with sharp-edged weapons at their shop in Akal Garh market on Thursday over alleged unpleasant remarks on Facebook about their leaders.

As people from the nearby shops rushed to the spot on hearing cries of shopkeeper Jatinder Singh and his brother Harvinder Singh, the suspects tried to flee the spot. Two of the suspects were caught by people and handed over to police. Meanwhile, someone allegedly fired a shot in the air.

The shopkeepers held the Sikh Student Federation (Mehta) leader Paramjit Singh Khalsa responsible for the attack.

Traders in the market alleged that federation leaders were suspecting that Jatinder and Harvinder had posted objectionable remarks against their leaders on Facebook.

In protest, the market association closed the shops and demanded a strict action against the attackers.

The agitated shopkeepers returned to business after the Division No. 1 police took the two suspects, identified as Maninder Pal Singh and Amardeep Singh into custody, and booked two others, Jaspal Singh and Jaswinder Singh, for attempt to murder. Both of them are absconding.

The police have launched a manhunt to nab the suspects at large and started the investigation.

Meanwhile, Akal Garh market association president Balwinder Singh Bhullar and SAD leader Gurdeep Singh Gosha condemned the incident and demanded a strict action against the culprits.