Fatehabad, Haryana — In a brazen post-Diwali incident, three men were arrested after allegedly opening fire at a popular clothing store in Majra village and leaving a threatening ransom note demanding Rs 20 lakh. The suspects, identified as Rinku from Ayalki, Surendra from Azad Nagar, and Lakhwinder Singh from Bhirdana, are now in custody, with police preparing to seek remand to investigate the full extent of their criminal activities, including weapon procurement and any other accomplices involved.

The incident unfolded on November 2 around 4 p.m. when the masked trio arrived on a bike at Prem Vastra Bhandar, a well-known cloth store in Majra. One suspect fired shots at the shop while another hurled a handwritten note, purportedly penned by Surendra, threatening dire consequences if the ransom was not paid. The note was explicit: “I am Surendra from Fatehabad, and I need Rs 20 lakh. You decide how to give it — this is just a trailer, or else something worse could happen. You and your family will be responsible for your own safety. If the police intervene, remember, I will be the last one you see. Ram-Ram (Goodbye).”

Prem Chand, the store’s owner, reported the incident immediately, prompting the Fatehabad police to form a dedicated crime investigation team and launch a full-scale probe. Initial questioning of the suspects revealed that their motive stemmed from a desire for quick money for leisure activities, and that this was their first attempt at such a crime. Law enforcement is also probing the involvement of additional individuals who may have assisted in planning the attack or drafting the ransom note.

Community Outrage and Call for Action

The incident has shocked the business community and local residents, with Majra's growing commercial sector feeling particularly vulnerable. Bajrang Das Garg, president of the Haryana Pradesh Vyapar Mandal, visited the site and expressed solidarity with the victim, calling for swift police action. “This kind of lawlessness cannot be tolerated. If the authorities do not take immediate steps to ensure safety, we are prepared to shut down businesses across Fatehabad as a show of protest,” Garg stated during a press conference.

Majra, once a quiet village, is rapidly evolving into a bustling commercial hub, attracting customers from Fatehabad and beyond. The village hosts several high-demand stores, including the popular Prem Vastra Bhandar, which services clients nationwide. With furniture showrooms and other businesses expanding in the area, local entrepreneurs are increasingly concerned about security issues.

Police Action and Next Steps

Following the arrests, police are intensifying efforts to understand the full scale of the suspects’ operations. Law enforcement officials are tracing the origins of the weapons used in the firing and are expected to examine CCTV footage from surrounding areas. The police will also investigate if this group has links to any other criminal activities in the region.

The three arrested individuals are expected to be presented in court shortly, where the police will seek custody to gather further details about the planning and execution of the crime. Authorities have reassured the public of stringent security measures and affirmed their commitment to safeguarding Fatehabad’s thriving commercial environment.