Four days after unidentified assailants opened fire on migrant labourers in Moga, the police rounded up two suspects in connection with the attack this evening.Sources said one of the detained was a village sarpanch from Ferozepur district and was believed to be the mastermind behind the incident. However, officials declined to give details, citing that disclosure might hamper the investigation.
The firing took place on February 10 when three motorcycle-borne men allegedly opened fire on seven-eight labourers from Bihar near a rice sheller as they were returning to their rented accommodation during the peak paddy processing season. The sudden gunfire triggered panic among thousands of migrant workers employed in the district.
Two labourers — Ashok Kumar and Subodh Majhi — sustained bullet injuries. They were initially admitted to a private hospital in Moga, and one of them was later shifted to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
Police teams, including forensic experts, had examined the crime scene and scanned the CCTV footage from nearby establishments. Sources revealed that while the alleged shooters had been identified, they remained at large and a manhunt was on.
The case intensified after a video surfaced on social media showing two armed men claiming responsibility and making inflammatory remarks against migrant workers.