Muktsar, June 21

A group of armed men, suspected to be drug peddlers, allegedly opened fire and injured a resident of Khema Khera village in Lambi Assembly segment here yesterday.

The incident occurred when the victim along with others was returning from a police post, where they had gone to hand over a resolution passed by the village panchayat against drug peddlers. The victim, Mandeep Singh, suffered a bullet injury in the leg and was taken to the health centre at Lambi, from where he was referred to Muktsar.

Jaswinder Singh, sarpanch, said: “Some men from our village and neighbouring Phullu Khera village are involved in drug peddling. The panchayat had passed a resolution against them yesterday. When a group of residents was returning after handing over a copy of the resolution to the police, some armed men opened fire. We want to make the village drug-free, but some people are against it.”

Some residents protested last night, seeking action against the suspects. The police registered a case of attempt to murder against eight persons. Lambi SHO Chander Shekhar said: “We have booked eight persons. Two of them have been arrested.” — TNS