Tension in Patas after clash between transport operators; one opens fire

Pune: Tension flared in Patas in Daund taluka on Friday afternoon following a violent clash between two groups of transport operators.

The group members attacked each other and pelted stones. One of them also fired bullets. However, no one sustained injuries in the firing.

Senior inspector Nayaran Deshmukh of Yavat police said, “We are investigating how many rounds were fired by the accused. We found an empty cartridge and a live cartridge at the spot.” Deshmukh added that the police have detained six men from one group. “We have sent a team to take members of the other group into custody,” he said.

He said that a preliminary investigation revealed that a transporter from Bedwadi village near Patas and a local transporter had a heated argument over parking their vehicles near a factory for loading material. “After the argument, the duo called their accomplices. The groups pelted stones at each other. One of them fired a bullet,” he said.

The officer said that a case of attempted murder was being registered. “Our investigation is going on,” the officer said.