Robbers strike at jewellery shop in Chheharta

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 15

Panic gripped the Chheharta area when unknown armed persons robbed a jeweller and decamped with gold ornaments worth Rs 3.5 lakh, besides Rs 37,000 cash from the shop on Saturday. The robbers fired indiscriminately outside the shop before escaping away.

Senior police officials reached the spot and launched further investigations. The police took the CCTV footage of the incident from shop and nearby areas to identify the suspects.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dev Dutt, said that forensic teams were pressed into service and the police have vital clues about the looters. He said further investigations were underway.

Rakesh Kumar, owner of the Ganpati Jewellery House, near Pishori locality in Chheharta, said that he along with his employee Sarabjit Singh was present at the shop when five persons came on two bikes and asked to showcase some jewellery. He said as soon as he took out two trays of gold ornaments, the accused pulled out pistols and make them hostage. They also beat them before taking the ornaments and cash from the cash box. He said as he tried to raise voice and chase the accused they fired several gun shots towards the shop and fled away on their bikes.

The incident led to a panic in the area. It also raised a question mark over the current law and order situation in the holy city which had witnessed carjacking cases besides other robbery incidents. The police have failed to curb such incidents.