Patna Land Dispute Escalates into Firing, Two Injured Including Hotel Owner
A violent confrontation over a long-standing land dispute in Patna district turned deadly on Monday, resulting in a firing incident that left two people injured, including a hotel owner. The clash occurred near Badshahi Pine under the Gopalpur police station area, highlighting the simmering tensions in the region.
Details of the Injured and the Incident
According to police reports, the injured individuals have been identified as Omprakash Yadav, a 60-year-old resident of Tulsi Mandir under Alamganj police station, and his neighbor Jitendra Yadav, aged 38. Omprakash sustained a serious gunshot wound to the stomach, while Jitendra was shot in the thigh. Both victims were initially rushed to a private nursing home for emergency care before being referred to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) for advanced medical treatment.
The incident unfolded when Omprakash and three to four others were returning from their farm. Eyewitnesses described how an SUV stopped approximately 100 yards away, and five to six armed men emerged from the vehicle. Following a heated argument, they opened fire, causing panic in the area. The assailants quickly fled the scene in their vehicle, leaving the injured behind.
Root Cause: Ancestral Land Dispute
Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO-II), Sadar (Patna), Ranjan Kumar, provided insights into the underlying conflict. He stated that the firing stemmed from an old dispute over two bighas of ancestral land in Paijawa. "Omprakash claimed the land was purchased by his grandfather and has remained in the family. Tension had been simmering after a minor scuffle two days ago. On Monday, the groups confronted each other again, and the argument soon turned violent," he explained.
Eyewitnesses added that the two sides initially clashed with sticks before one group escalated the violence by resorting to gunfire. This sudden turn of events shocked local residents and intensified the urgency of police intervention.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Efforts
The forensic team conducted a thorough inspection of the crime scene, but no empty cartridges were recovered, complicating the investigation. The main accused, Uday Singh of Karampura under Gopalpur police station, is currently absconding along with his associates. In response, police have registered an FIR based on Omprakash's complaint, naming six individuals in connection with the attack.
"Raids are underway to arrest the accused. We are also coordinating with the circle officer to ascertain ownership of the disputed land," the SDPO emphasized. This coordinated effort aims to resolve the land issue legally while bringing the perpetrators to justice, ensuring such violent incidents do not recur in the future.
