Exchange of fire between two groups over the ownership of a disputed land at Dara village near, Janata Farm (Gaurikheda) in Sitarganj, Udham Singh Nagar on Friday resulted in one death and four injuries. The incident occurred around 10 am at Dara village, five kilometers away from Sitarganj Police Station.
Violence erupted after some people reached the disputed land to transplant paddy. Another group arrived at the same time and challenged the first group while claiming that the land belonged to it. Then the firing ensued, killing one on the spot and injuring four. The fracas triggered panic among the residents of both the villages to which the two rival groups belonged.
The situation in the area is tense but under control, police said. Additional police forces have been deployed in both the villages to avert further violence.
Sitarganj circle officer PS Pangti claimed that police had acted swiftly. The deceased was identified as Jaimal Singh, resident of Janata Farm, Gaurikheda, Sitarganj. Jaimal Singh was having a land dispute with Surjeet Singh of Dara Village for the past few years, police informed.
After the district administration had acquired swathes of the disputed land for a national highway project both were fighting over the ownership of the remaining land, measuring around 12 viswa. Tension peaked recently after the Revenue department had given Jaimal Singh right to sow paddy on the disputed piece of land.
Armed with weapons, Surjeet Singh, along with his friends and relations, reached the land to sow crops on Friday morning. Informed of the development, Jaimal Singh reached the land around 10 am and challenged Surjeet Singh. Argument turned into altercation and both the groups went on firing spree that lasted for around half an hour. Subsequently, Jaimal Singh was shot dead. However, police denied that exchange of firing had occurred. Police reached much later. Seeing police, members of both the groups escaped.
later, they reached the police station and asked the police officers to register cross FIRs against each other for the firing.
Four persons (two from each group) who were seriously injured were admitted at Haldwani Hospital.
Deceased’s son Angraj Singh had registered a case under 302 of IPC against 17 persons in Sitarganj Police Station. The complainant alleged that Surjeet Singh and Ranjeet Singh had intentionally shot themselves to evade law.
CO Pangti said that as a part of precautionary measures, additional police forces have been deputed at the deceased’s home, at the disputed land and at the hospital where the injured were admitted. Besides, additional forces were deployed at both the villages from which the two rival groups hailed.
Sitarganj Police Station in-charge inspector DR Arya said that teams have been formed and they are investigating the case. Some persons are being grilled too, he added.