Pune: A 30-year-old farmer from Karade village in Shirur taluka narrowly escaped an alleged murder bid after a group of men opened fire on him in the early hours of Saturday. He saved himself by jumping into a nearby lake, swimming to the opposite bank and alerting the police.The Shirur police have registered a case of attempt to murder against eight accused and launched a search to trace them.A police officer said the attack stemmed from an old dispute between the farmer and one of the accused.According to the police, the farmer was returning home from Pune on his motorcycle when the accused, riding three motorcycles, intercepted him near his house in Karade village, around 60 km from Pune. One of them allegedly abused him before the group rode away.“Angered by the abuse, the farmer chased them and stopped them near a temple. During the confrontation, one of the accused allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired at him,” the officer said.The farmer dodged the bullet and ran towards a nearby lake. The accused allegedly chased him and fired another shot. He jumped into the lake, swam across to safety and later informed the police. A police team rushed to the spot, registered a case and launched efforts to arrest the accused.
