Two personnel died on the spot while the third person died at the hospital.Three Sikkim police personnel were shot dead after a colleague allegedly opened fire, said police, adding that a fourth policeman managed to escape. Police said the accused, Lance Naik Prabin Rai (32), had recently come to Delhi, and claimed during questioning that he was fed up with the victims’ remarks about his wife and family.
DCP (Rohini) Pranav Tayal said, “The deceased have been identified as Pinto Bhutia, Dhanhang Subba and Indra Chhetri. Bhutia was Rai’s commander while the others were working as constables. Legal action is being taken.”
The incident took place at the Haiderpur water treatment plant in Rohini, which comes under the Delhi Jal Board, where the men were posted as part of the security team. They were staying at the barracks on the WTP campus.
Around 2.30 pm, Rai allegedly went on a shooting spree inside their residential quarters and targeted four of his colleagues. Police said he fired 7-8 rounds using his INSAS rifle. Two of the deceased were found lying in a pool of blood inside their room while the third person was found in the bathroom. Sources said the accused was allegedly going to shoot another policeman, but he managed to escape from a window. Rai then walked to the police station with his rifle and surrendered.
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The district staff received a PCR call around 3 pm and rushed to the spot to find blood splattered across the room. “During questioning, the accused told us that he joined 10 days ago… he claimed his colleagues would allegedly pass disparaging remarks about his wife. He also spoke of a marital discord… On Monday afternoon, he called his wife but she apparently didn’t pick up. He claimed his colleagues started joking about it, which enraged him. After some time, he picked up his rifle and started shooting,” said a senior police officer in Rohini.
Senior police officers said the fourth police personnel is being questioned about the incident and to establish if there is truth to the claims made by the accused.
A source posted at the Haiderpur office said, “When Rai started shooting, the victims were resting and didn’t have a chance to escape. We believe one was killed in his sleep. Everybody was scared since he had fired 7-8 rounds. He then walked out of the quarters and went towards the police station.”
According to a senior DJB officer, they have private security along with an Indian Reserve Battalion to look after the plant in shifts. “There could be theft or cases of bioterrorism at the plant as it is the biggest in Delhi. We have additional security forces to help us. This includes Delhi and Sikkim Police.”
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