This Article is From Mar 09, 2012

2 killed, one severely injured in clash at betel shop

Allahabad: Two men were shot dead on the outskirts of Allahabad on Thursday while another was badly beaten up and his vehicle set on fire following a clash between two groups at a betel shop, police said.

The incident took place in Naini police station area, 20 km from the city, where a group of men was purchasing betel leaves for Holi celebrations, police said.

Another group of men arrived on two motorcycles and asked the shopkeeper to prepare "paan", who said he would be able to entertain them only after he was through with the customers who were already at his shop, police said.

The motorcyclists got infuriated and proceeded menacingly towards the shop owner but were confronted by the other group, police said adding two of the bikers, who appeared heavily drunk, took out pistols and opened fire killing two persons on the spot.

The motorcyclists tried to flee but one of them was caught by the friends of the two slain men who fled the spot after severely beating him up and setting fire to his vehicle.

Senior police officials reached the spot and the injured man was admitted to a hospital in the city where his condition was stated to be critical, police said.

Efforts were on to identify the slain men as well as the one admitted in the hospital besides others who were involved in the brawl, police added.
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