Chandigarh, June 26 -- For those who settled or grew up in the city post the militancy-era, Chandigarh has offered a relatively peaceful, safe and slow way of living. Barring isolated incidents of crimes, the city has been largely insulated from organised crime. But of late, the city has been seeing a worrying surge in gang-linked violence, extortion and contract killings. From a property dealer's murder outside a gym in Sector 9 to a cashier's killing in a busy chemist shop in Sector 11, to a gang member's murder in Sector 26, the city is seeing blood on its streets. Neighbour Panchkula too has seen its share of gang activities. A club owner in Panchkula was recently shot at, leaving him and his friend critically injured (see box).

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