Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Panic gripped parts of Amritsar’s rural belt on Sunday evening after two separate firing incidents within a short span of time triggered fresh concerns over possible extortion-linked crime in the region.
The first incident was reported near Nath Di Khui at around 6:30 pm, where unidentified men allegedly opened fire outside a jewellery shop owned by a local businessman. Although no one was hurt, the sudden gunshots created chaos in the market area and left traders shaken.
Police sources said the targeted establishment is linked to Angrej Singh, a resident of Chananke village. Investigators are examining whether the attack was intended as a warning connected to extortion demands.
Less than half an hour later, another firing incident took place in Rayya, under the Beas police station jurisdiction.
According to initial reports, two unidentified attackers arrived on a motorcycle and fired multiple rounds outside a Kajaria showroom before escaping from the spot.
The property belongs to Harpreet Singh, popularly known as Happy, who had contested local civic polls as a Shiromani Akali Dal candidate. He is also the son of late SGPC member and former municipal chief Gurvinder Pal Singh Rayya.
Sources familiar with the matter claimed that Harpreet Singh had allegedly received threatening calls in the past, though officials have not formally linked the attack to extortion at this stage.
The incidents have sparked unease among traders across the Majha region, where reports of extortion threats and targeted firing have increased in recent months.
Business owners expressed concern over what they described as a growing atmosphere of fear, with many demanding stronger security measures.
The shootings also triggered political reactions, with senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticising the state government and alleging a failure to contain organised criminal activity.
He claimed that businessmen were increasingly becoming soft targets while lawlessness was spreading across several districts.
Police teams were rushed to both locations soon after the incidents. Officers have begun reviewing CCTV footage and collecting forensic evidence to trace those involved.
No arrests had been made till late Sunday night, and investigations are continuing to determine whether both attacks are connected to the same network.
