A Dubai-based Indian businessman was gunned down in front of shocked witnesses by two men at the India Club last night.
The victim identified as Sharad Shetty, 43, was a resident of the UAE and an active member of the club, which was formerly known as the Indian Sports Club.
According to Major General Sharafuddin Mohammed Hussain Sharaf, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Crimi-nal Investigative Affairs, the victim was shot at point blank range and died on the spot.
The killers emptied five bullets from a revolver and fled.
The incident occurred around 8pm.
Eyewitnesses reported that the two killers who were dressed in dark-coloured suits fled from the scene, and shocked eyewitnesses did nothing to stop them.
The police have launched a massive manhunt. A cafeteria manager on the street leading to the club, told Gulf News that police asked him whether he had seen anyone matching the description of the assailant running away from the scene.
Maj. Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said he regrets that some members of the Indian community have become a source of trouble in the country.
"We will act very tough with those who could be a source of trouble. The kind of murder we are investigating today has been repeated more than once. The murder should be an eye opener. It should encourage us to review our visa and investment policies and make sure that those with a criminal background cannot live amongst us.
"We should not allow criminals to endanger the peaceful nature of our society. Peace should always be the top of our priority and no one should be allowed to disturb it. The crime is not an ordinary incident. It is an action of organised gangs who opted to solve their differences here in Dubai.
"This lesson will prompt us to review our policies in different aspects, including the facilities given to expatriates," he warned.
"The police will be tough with such people. The Indian community living in Dubai has been always welcomed for its peaceful nature. What we see today might have a severe impact on the image of the country if left unchecked," he said.
Gulf News 2003
