Ludhiana, March 20 -- The local police took up an investigation after at least 12 people allegedly assaulted a milk trader, his friend and one of his employees outside the Verka plant on Ferozepur Road, officials said, adding that the incident happened late on Tuesday night.

The assailants dragged them out of their car and assaulted them with iron rods and sticks, they said.

In his police complaint, the trader, Pritpal Singh, 43, from Bathinda, said the accused wanted to extort money and as he did not give him money, they attacked him. He alleged the accused snatched a gold chain and a mobile phone.

Sarabha Nagar police officials said an old rivalry likely led to the attack.

The victim said he, his friend Sukhwinder Singh and staffer ...