At least eight fishermen, three of them seriously, were injured as two groups indulged in a scuffle at the Atharbanki over-bridge here on Friday.
The three seriously injured have been admitted in a hospital.
Police sources said the two groups of fishermen had been at loggerheads for several years over fishing issues in different rivers in and around Paradip. While one group belonged to the Kalinga Karnadhar Primary Fishermen Co-Operative Society, another represented the Sola Bhai Sangathan. A case relating to the matter is also pending sub-judice for the last three years, informed the sources.
The violence erupted as some people from Kaliapata, Gandakipur and Dalimbapur villages came in four-wheelers to Atharbanki and attacked some fishermen, who were fishing near the over bridge, at around noon. While eight persons were injured in the brawl, the main road remained closed for hours in its impact.
later, police personnel rushed to the spot and controlled the violence and sent the injured persons to the hospital.
Seriously injured were identifies as Hiranya Majhi, Subash Tarai and Jiban Pani.