Patna: Five people were injured after a violent clash broke out between a wedding party and local residents during the dinner at a hotel near Umanath Temple under the Barh police station area of Patna district on Tuesday night. The exact cause of the dispute is yet to be ascertained, police said.According to the police, one of the injured, who sustained serious injuries, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Biharsharif. The others received first aid at Barh sub-divisional hospital and were later discharged.A wedding party from Harnaut in Nalanda district was staying at Kundan Hotel near Umanath Temple. Dinner had been arranged for the guests and most of them were eating when an argument broke out between some local youths and members of the baraat.According to eyewitnesses, what began as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a violent clash. It is alleged that the hotel operator also joined the locals in the dispute. The group then attacked members of the wedding party with kitchen utensils being used by cooks at the hotel.The sudden assault triggered panic among the guests. Many abandoned their meals and ran for safety. The commotion and violence reportedly continued on the road for nearly half an hour.Barh police reached the spot after being informed and brought the situation under control.Barh SHO Brajesh Singh said, “Five people were injured in the clash. Shashi sustained serious injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in Biharsharif, where he is undergoing treatment. The other four injured persons were given first aid at Barh sub-divisional hospital and later discharged. Doctors are monitoring the condition of the critically injured person.”Preliminary investigation suggests that an argument between members of the baraat and some local youths escalated into violence. “We are scanning CCTV footage from the area and recording statements of eyewitnesses. No complaint has been filed by either side so far. We are awaiting a formal complaint before initiating further legal action,” the SHO added.
