Sangha, who was hurt in the ankle of the right foot, was rushed to PGI, and medical sources said he was out of danger. Randhawa had a narrow escape, with the bullet piercing through the left leg of his trousers.

This incident is being regarded in campus circles as a offshoot of the rivalry between Nagra and the other students. In the last elections to the PU Students' Council, all four candidates backed by Nagra had won, with SOPU close behind. Three months ago, differences with his partymen had led to Nagra resigning from PUSU. Following this, three office-bearers of the PU Students' Council had also shifted to NSUI. Today, a PUSU spokesman said they had no association with Nagra.

Since the last elections, their has been an undercurrent of tension between Nagra and SOPU activists. Last year saw two major incidents involving the rival parties: the stripping incident at the students' centre and the attempt to murder at the PU market. Today's incident is being regarded as a continuation of the rivalry. Today being the last date of admissions, almost all student leaders were present on the campus.

"Randhawa and a few others with him on one side and Nagra, along with his gunman, happened to cross each other outside the Arts Block-I building. They stared at each other and then started abusing. After that, Randhawa and others tried to catch hold of Nagra. He then fired in the air and afterwards, at them," an eyewitness said.

Though the eyewitness claimed that Nagra fired four rounds, the police maintained that only two rounds were fired. Nagra and his gunman, Punjab Police constable Asa Ram, who reportedly attempted to escape in the former's car (DIC 4669), were apprehended by a police party.

"After the firing, Asa Ram tried to escape, but two sub-inspectors in a Gypsy blocked his way and caught him and he was brought to the police station," SP (Headquarters) Baldev Singh said. He added that on the basis of a complaint filed by Randhawa, the police have booked Nagra and Constable Asa Ram for attempt to murder, violating prohibitory orders and under various prohibitions of the Arms Act. Nagra has also been booked for violating prohibitory orders banning carrying of fire arms in the City.

Nagra's claim that the pistol was licensed in his name was being verified, Baldev Singh added. Nagra said he was assaulted and repeatedly abused by others and that he had fired in self-defence. "I fired at their feet which proves that I had no intention to kill them," he told Newsline.

Following the incident, and in wake of the impending students' elections, security has been beefed up in and around the PU campus. Five nakas have been set up inside PU and police personnel have been deployed at the three gates. Five Police Control Room vehicles have also been stationed on the campus.