Ludhiana, 19 August — A violent clash between two groups in Ambedkar Nagar, Ludhiana, late Sunday night left two youths injured and several vehicles damaged, with videos of the incident quickly circulating on social media. The footage showed youths armed with sticks, rods and sharp weapons vandalizing parked cars and pelting stones in the neighborhood.
Residents said the confrontation began after locals accused some youths of selling drugs in the area. According to them, when confronted, the alleged peddlers returned armed with iron rods, sharp-edged weapons and sticks, launching an attack on the residents. “They smashed vehicles and hurled stones. A bottle bomb was also thrown,” one local claimed.
On receiving information, Inspector Balwinder Singh from Model Town Police Station reached the spot with his team and inspected the site. He, however, rejected reports of an explosive being used. “First, one group stopped and beat youths near the Krishna temple. Later, the other group retaliated. There have been reports of vandalism, stone pelting and damage to vehicles,” the Inspector said.
Police have registered a case against about a dozen people on the complaint of one group, while the other faction has also lodged a counter-complaint. “The matter is under investigation. If drug smuggling is found to be involved, strict action will follow,” Inspector Singh noted.
Residents, meanwhile, alleged that drug smugglers have been active in Ambedkar Nagar for a long time and often threaten anyone who raises objections. “If someone speaks against them, they come back with death threats,” a local resident said.
The police said they are probing both the clash and the allegations of drug trafficking in the locality.
