Four set ablaze over gang rivalry in Bikaner, two critical

JAIPUR: Two people were critically burnt and two others injured when their vehicle was set ablaze by around six attackers in Bikaner’s Nokha area on Sunday evening. The crime took place barely 150m from the police station and is suspected to be the fallout of a gang rivalry.
“The four victims were sitting in their vehicle and having tea when around 4.30pm, the attackers poured petrol on the vehicle and set it afire. Two passengers suffered more than 70% burns and are under treatment at a Bikaner hospital. The other two got away with minor burn injuries,” Bikaner SP Pradeep Mohan Sharma said. Sources said the critically burnt are unlikely to survive as their injuries are very grave.
“The victims and accused were members of rival gangs and both groups had a long criminal history. Around six months ago, the victims had attacked the accused. Sunday’s attack was apparently an act of revenge. A case of attempt to murder has been registered against the accused. We are investigating the matter and looking for them,” SP Sharma said.
Even as cops claimed the accused are yet to be arrested, sources said around six people have been detained in connection with the crime and their vehicle seized. The attack took place in a lane parallel to the Nokha police station while a Community Liaison Group meeting was being held there.