Patna: A 76-year-old man was shot dead during a clash between two neighbouring families over pillars erected on a village road at Raghopur East under Judhavanpur police station area in Vaishali district on Saturday morning.The deceased, Harivansh Rai, son of late Sitab Rai and a resident of Raghopur East, died on the spot after a bullet struck his left eye, triggering tension and panic in the village.According to local residents, Harivansh Rai and his neighbour, Shyam Nandan Rai, had been embroiled in a dispute for more than a year over alleged encroachment on a stretch of village road. Villagers alleged that Shyam had constructed a house on the disputed land, following which Harivansh installed pillars on the road in protest, claiming the public pathway had been encroached upon. The issue had repeatedly led to confrontations between the two families.Police said the dispute flared up again on Saturday morning when Shyam allegedly objected to the pillars. Members of Harivansh’s family maintained that the structures would be removed only after the alleged encroachment was cleared. The argument soon escalated into a violent clash.During the altercation, Shyam allegedly opened fire. One of the bullets struck Harivansh in the eye, killing him on the spot before he could be taken for treatment.Police teams from Judhavanpur and Raghopur police stations rushed to the village and additional forces were deployed to prevent any further violence. Patrols in the area have also been intensified.Vaishali SP Shubhank Mishra confirmed the incident and said the accused, a resident of the same locality, is absconding. “Necessary legal action will be taken after a thorough investigation,” he said.The SP said the firing took place around 8am and the bullet hit the victim’s left eye. “There was an entry wound but no exit wound. An FSL team was called to collect evidence from the spot,” he added.
