Tragic Outcome of a Minor Boundary Dispute in Patna
A seemingly trivial disagreement over a mere two inches of land escalated into a fatal confrontation in Patna district, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving another injured. The incident occurred in the Fatuha police station area on Friday, highlighting how longstanding property disputes can erupt into violence with devastating consequences.
Details of the Fatal Altercation
The tragic events unfolded at Rasalpur village when a man allegedly opened fire on members of his uncle's family during a heated argument over a boundary demarcation. According to police reports, the dispute centered around a specific portion of land following the partition of paternal property between two brothers, Rajkumar Prasad and Shrawan Kumar.
The violence claimed the life of 50-year-old Rajmantri Devi, wife of Shrawan Prasad, who died instantly at the scene. Her neighbour, 55-year-old Devsagar Singh, who attempted to intervene and stop the altercation, sustained critical bullet injuries and later succumbed during treatment at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH).
Eyewitness Accounts and Police Investigation
Eyewitnesses, including the deceased woman's son Jitendra Kumar, described how the situation deteriorated rapidly. "The discussion between the two brothers was initially calm. The matter was not so serious. It had already been resolved," Jitendra stated. However, the atmosphere changed dramatically when Rajkumar's son, Shivam, arrived armed with a country-made pistol and began firing indiscriminately.
Fatuha sub-divisional police officer (SDPO)-1 Awdhesh Kumar provided crucial context: "The partition of their paternal land was completed, but there was a dispute over a particular portion. A dispute over just 2 inches of land was going on for a long time." On Friday morning, both families were present at the disputed plot during pillar construction work, which triggered the argument that turned violent.
Aftermath and Police Response
The injured victim, 25-year-old Rajan Prasad (son of Rajmantri Devi), is currently undergoing treatment at PMCH. Police responded promptly to the incident and conducted searches at the accused's residence, recovering two country-made pistols, a sword, and a motorcycle as evidence.
Law enforcement has registered an FIR against four family members, including the accused's parents and younger brother, who fled the village immediately after the shooting. Authorities have formed a special investigation team (SIT) dedicated to apprehending the absconding suspects and bringing them to justice.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of how minor property disputes can escalate into deadly violence, particularly in rural areas where land ownership often carries significant emotional and economic weight. The Patna police continue their investigation while the community grapples with the aftermath of this preventable tragedy.
