A violent clash erupted between two factions in the parking lot of the Moga Civil Hospital on Thursday, leaving nine persons injured and causing significant damage to property.
The opposing groups heavily pelted each other with bricks and stones, shattering the windows of multiple vehicles parked on the premises, including a car belonging to a hospital doctor.
According to official sources, the dispute originated in the morning hours on Bukanwala Road in Moga.
A confrontation broke out between the two neighbouring families over allegedly derogatory remarks and verbal abuse targeted at family members.
Upon receiving information about the initial dispute, a police emergency response team rushed to the spot, mediated between the groups, and temporarily brought the situation under control.
However, the peace was short-lived.
Members from both sides subsequently arrived at the Moga Civil Hospital to seek medical aid for minor altercations from the morning, where they crossed paths again near the parking area. The argument quickly escalated into a full-blown bloody clash as both sides began hurling stones and bricks at each other, triggering panic among hospital visitors and staff.
Following the outbreak of violence, a police control room (PCR) unit and a heavy police force from the City South Police Station arrived at the scene to restore order and control the situation.
Dr Kuldeep Singh from the Moga Civil Hospital confirmed that between nine individuals sustained injuries in the clash and are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Two of the injured are reported to have suffered serious wounds.
The two factions have levelled serious allegations against each other. Lakshmi, an injured member of the first faction, claimed that their neighbours routinely made inappropriate remarks about them. “When we went to talk to them this morning, they launched a murderous assault on my husband and father. When we came to the Civil Hospital for treatment, they attacked us again," she alleged.
Beant Singh from the opposing faction claimed that their neighbours frequently used abusive language and targeted the women of their household. “They attacked us first this morning. When we came to the hospital to get treated for our injuries, they followed us and launched another assault," Singh stated.
The City South Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter. Security has been heightened around the hospital premises to prevent any further escalation.
