Firecracker argument sparks brutal attack in Ahmedabad

A dispute over firecracker celebrations between clothing shop owners in Paldi, Ahmedabad turned violent on New Year’s Day, leaving one young man seriously injured after being struck on the head with a firecracker-laden iron pipe. Paldi police have registered a case of attempted murder and rioting.

As per the police, Sagar Prajapati, who runs a readymade clothing store on the ground floor of Vraj Plaza in Paldi, had gone with his brother Ronak Prajapati, and other shop workers to celebrate the New Year. On the site, a trader named Narendra Singh objected to the Prajapatis setting off firecrackers near his shop, claiming it could cause damage, and asked them to move the fireworks aside.

While Sagar agreed to relocate the firecrackers, a scuffle broke out between him and Ronak on one side, and Narendra Singh. Subsequently, Arjun Singh arrived with a group of ten others and launched a coordinated attack on Sagar, Ronak, and their colleagues.

In the assault, Ronak was struck multiple times on the head with an iron pipe containing firecrackers, leaving him severely injured and unconscious. Other members of the group sustained minor injuries and were given preliminary medical treatment. Local traders intervened, prompting the attackers to flee after issuing threats.

Ronak was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, while the others received first aid at the scene. Paldi police have registered cases under sections of attempted murder and rioting, and are investigating the incident.