Led by 'Western' Titu, a gang of six went to a CNG three-wheeler garage on the western end of the road at about 7:30am and sought money from the garage owner, witnesses said.

As he refused to pay the gang, they came out of the garage and threatened him of dire consequences. Each of them fired into the air, causing panic in the area, they added.

During the 15-minute showdown, pedestrians ran helter-skelter to save their lives. The entire area was deserted within a few minutes while the gang walked across Bishwa Road and disappeared towards East Rampura, locals said.

Putting a roadblock near BTV Bhaban in Rampura at around 12:30pm, a gang, resembling that of Titu's, robbed rickshaw passengers of cash and other valuables over a period of half an hour, they added.

Khilgaon police said they heard of the incident about seven hours later at about 2:30pm and went to the spot and talked to local shop owners.

Residents said local thug 'Galkata' Sharbat Ali once controlled gang activities in Rampura Bazar, Wapda Road and Mahanagar areas, but he went missing after the Operation Clean Heart in 2002. His sons started collecting tolls from local traders and business houses soon afterwards.

Titu, with blessings from the ruling party bigwigs, has been trying to establish supremacy in the area by driving out Sharbat's sons.