Gang war: Morbi remains tense, but cops yet to make any arrests

RAJKOT: The situation remained tense for the third day on Monday in ceramic town Morbi where indiscriminate firing during a gang war resulted in death of 13-year-old boy Vishal Bambhania on Saturday night. However, the Morbi police is yet to make any arrests in connection with the incident.

Prime suspect Rajvir Kshatriya, a native of Uttar Pradesh, who was nabbed by the mob and handed over to the police, on Monday denied his involvement in the shooting. He claimed had he had gone to Kalika Plot area with his friend in search of liquor.

A-Division police inspector R J Chaudhary said, “Kshatriya seems to be making a story. We will interrogate him once he is discharged from hospital.” He further added that the police was busy completing the documentation in the case and sending evidence for forensic testing.

Meanwhile, Kshatriya submitted an application on Monday seeking FIR against unidentified persons for assaulting him.

On Saturday night, goons resorted to indiscriminate firing at the house of Aarif Mir in Kalika plot area over old animosity. Bambhania died while three others including Aarif Mir, his aide Imran Sumra and an 11-year-old girl were injured. Police claimed that it has got evidence of 16 rounds being fired. Aarif Mir had logged complaint alleging that Hitendrasinh alias Hitubha Zala as well as his aides Mulraj Jadeja and Vijay Chudasama are behind the firing.

Zala and Mir’s brother Mushtaq were old friends and business partners. In 2017, after some dispute over a land deal, Hitubha had allegedly murdered Mushtaq to take control of the business. However, Aarif took over the business. Both the gangs harbour bitter animosity and feel insecure in the business. Aarif has claimed he was target of Zala’s gang after Mushtaq’s murder.