Youth steps in to resolve cricket match row, gets shot

GREATER NOIDA: A 23-year-old man was shot at in the head after he intervened in a scuffle between two groups of boys during a cricket match in Jarcha’s Kalonda village on Wednesday morning.
Rizwan sustained serious injuries as the bullet fired from a country-made gun pierced his head. He collapsed to the ground almost immediately and was rushed to Kailash Hospital where he is in the ICU.

Rizwan’s relatives and many locals also gathered at the hospital and demanded swift action against the accused. An FIR was registered against the accused at Jarcha police station.

K K Rana, SHO, Jarcha police station, said two groups had clashed while playing cricket. “They started pelting stones and bricks at each other. Soon more people joined and someone opened fire in which Rizwan got injured,” Rana said. Four persons – Nasim, Arif, Wakil and Khan Mohammad – from the opposite group were also injured in the stone pelting. They were rushed to PHC Dadri, and were later referred to the district hospital in Noida.

Rizwan’s family, however, alleged that he had no role in the incident and narrated a different version. Anwar, Rizwan’s younger brother, said he was suffering from a fever. “He was going to the local market to get medicines. In the neighbourhood, Muzaffar and Abbas were fighting over car parking. Around 8-9 men associated with Abbas realised that Rizwan had arrived there on behalf of Muzaffar, as he is our relative. They deliberately shot at him,” he said.

Rizwan’s father Bhoora said that Muzaffar and Abbas had personal enmity.

Satish Kumar, circle officer, Dadri, said that a case for attempt to murder has been registered against Abbas. “Rizwan sustained a bullet injury while four other persons were injured in stone-pelting. We are investigting the matter,” he said.

Dr Meenakshi, deputy medical superintendent at Kailash Hospital, said Rizwan is in the ICU and his condition is critical. “He will undergo a surgery and the next 24 hours is crucial,” she said.

A police team has been deployed at the village to ensure enforcement of law and order.