Akali Dal youth leader Vicky Middukhera was shot dead in broad daylight in Mohali, Punjab on Saturday, police said. Two armed criminals opened fire on Middukhera in a market and fled, Mohali (headquarters) police chief Akashdeep Singh Aulakh told PTI by phone.
A case has been registered and multiple investigations are underway, he said, adding that police are trying to identify the suspects, a total of four, and hope to catch them soon.
CCTV footage in the area shows disbelievers opening fire on Middukhera as he climbed into his parked car. Police said he went to see a local real estate agent.
The bad guys, all wearing caps and masks, can be seen chasing down Middukhera and shooting as he tries to take cover. Police said eight to nine shots were fired, after which the bad guys escaped in a car. After the attack, Middukhera, who was president of the SAD student wing, the Union of Indian Students, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police added.
Senior leader Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said the incident had once again exposed the deteriorating public order situation in the state.
No one feels safe because the public order situation in Punjab has been violated, he said.
Cheema said the incident also raised questions as security was tightened across the state ahead of Independence Day celebrations.
This shows that there is nothing to fear from the law as the incident took place in broad daylight, he said and demanded a high-profile investigation.
Cheema describes Middukhera as a bright and talented young leader.