Three shot over property dispute in Palanpur town

PALANPUR: At least three persons suffered bullet injuries when a long-standing dispute between two groups over a restaurant deal took a violent turn in Palanpur’s crowded railway station road.
Gun shots were fired in broad daylight in Rahimi Restaurant after Iqbal Khan Lohani, who had purchased the restaurant from its owner Mujib Khan, opened fire when the altercation over vacating the property turned ugly.Those who suffered bullet injuries were identified as Iqbal Khan Ghasura (40), a native of Malan village near Palanpur, Iqbal Khan Bismillah Khan Ghasura and Mehboob Khan Lohani (40), a resident of Mohammed Society in the town. Mehboob Khan was brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital as he received critical injuries, while remaining two were admitted to a private hospital.
Superintendent of police, Banaskantha, Neeraj Badgujar said Lohani had a dispute with the sub-tenant of the restaurant Rahman Khan, who was demanding hefty compensation to vacate the property. Iqbal Khan Lohani and his partners came to the restaurant in the afternoon and there was a heated verbal duel with Rahman Khan. Javed Khan Ghasura, who was having lunch there, was first beaten with a pipe by Lohani’s accomplices. Later, Lohani opened fire from his licensed revolver. Mujib Khan is in Mecca for Haj, police inspector, Palanpur (east), AT Pancholi said.
Panic gripped the area and shopkeepers immediately downed their shutters hearing the firing.