2 groups clash in Greater Noida over cricket match

Five persons were injured in a clash between two groups in a Greater Noida village on Wednesday. The police have claimed that the squabble started over a cricket match.

The incident took place in Kalonda village, Jarcha area, Greater Noida, on Wednesday around 7am when children from the village were playing a cricket match.

According to the police, the quarrel began when Iliyas, from Kalonda village, fired upon Mohammad Abbas, another resident of the village. Soon, the two groups pelted stones at each other and used countrymade pistols to fire at each other. Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem, Mohammad Arif, Wakeel Khan and Umar Khan were injured in the attack. Rizwan’s condition is said to be critical.

“Prima facie, it appears that the quarrel started over a cricket match. The matter escalated when Iliyas fired at his neighbour Abbas. Both the groups then assaulted each other with bricks and sticks. In the incident, Rizwan was shot in the head and admitted to the government hospital in Dadri. Later, he was transferred to a private hospital in Ghaziabad,” Krishan Kumar Rana, station house officer, Jarcha police station, said.

Based on the complaint filed by Mohammad Intezar, Rizwan’s uncle, the police have booked five persons under the Indian Penal Code section for attempt to murder and other sections of rioting.

“We have booked Abbas and five other persons under the IPC sections 302 and 147, 148 and 149 for attempt to murder, rioting, rioting with deadly weapon and unlawful assembly. Teams have been dispatched to nab the accused as early as possible,” Rana added.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Kalonda after the clash; most residents preferred to remain indoors through the day. Police personnel were deployed in the village to deter further clashes.

“The fight had started because of a petty issue and soon escalated into a major brawl. However, the situation is under control now and there is peace in the village,” Rana said.

First Published: Aug 30, 2018 03:55 IST