PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 6 -- Saddam Hussain-husband of the elected head (pradhan) of Kishanpur Ambari village-was arrested late on Thursday night following a police encounter in Kaushambi. He was accused of assaulting a cucumber vendor, the vendor's brother and brother-in-law, at Fakirabad crossroads in the Sarai Aqil area of the district. Saddam sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during retaliatory police fire. After receiving medical treatment, he was formally charged. Police have also seized his SUV and are actively searching for the other accused. The incident occurred at the Fakirabad crossroads, where Chhotelal, a resident of Basuhar village in Kharsen ka Pura locality, regularly sells cucumbers. On Thursday evening, while Chhotelal was running his roadside stall, Moinuddin, the father-in-law of the Kishanpur Ambari village head, arrived at the scene. A verbal altercation ensued, after which Moinuddin called his son and other relatives to the site. Upon arrival, Saddam Hussain and his family members began assaulting the cucumber vendor in the middle of the street. When the vendor's brother and brother-in-law tried to intervene, they too were badly beaten. Onlookers stood by while the victims pleaded for mercy. A video capturing the ruthless assault was circulated widely on social media. After viewing the video, superintendent of police, Rajesh Kumar, formed a special team under inspector Ashutosh Singh to arrest the accused. Circle officer (Chail) Abhishek Singh said that police received a tip-off and set up a blockade at the Nevada crossroads. Saddam arrived in a Scorpio SUV and attempted to flee toward Fakirabad upon seeing the police. After a chase, he abandoned the vehicle near Imligaon and fled into a mango orchard, where he opened fire on the pursuing officers with a country-made firearm. Police returned fire, injuring him in the leg. He was taken to the medical college hospital for treatment before being formally charged. A separate case has also been filed against him for attempting to murder police personnel. SP Kaushambi, Rajesh Kumar, further confirmed that, based on a complaint from Chhotelal's wife, Usha Devi, an FIR has been lodged against eight named and three unidentified individuals, including Saddam Hussain. The seven remaining accused are on the run and have reportedly abandoned their homes. Police are raiding possible hideouts, including those of relatives and acquaintances, he added. A massive fire broke out on Friday morning in a wholesale electronics warehouse located in Bandipatti Bazaar, under the Sarai Mamrez police station area in trans-Ganga area of Prayagraj district. The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit, destroyed goods worth several lakhs, police said. Upon receiving information, fire tenders arrived at the scene and attempted to control the blaze, but by then, the entire stock had been consumed by the fire. The warehouse, situated in a three-storey building owned by Suresh Kumar and Lali Bind, stored wholesale electronic goods. On Friday morning, a short circuit sparked the fire in the warehouse of Suresh Electronics. Residents noticed smoke and flames coming from the building and immediately informed the warehouse owner. Kartik Bind, also known as Bhailal, rushed to the spot and, with the help of local villagers, tried to extinguish fire but was unsuccessful. As the fire spiraled out of control, the fire department was alerted. Four fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and after several hours of effort, firefighters were finally able to bring the blaze under control. Sub-divisional magistrate (Handia) Ravindra Singh, station house officer Sunil Kumar Mishra of Sarai Mamrez police station, and police personnel from nearby police stations also reached the location to assess the situation and ensure safety....