Patna: Two people, including a hotel owner, were injured in a firing during a clash between rival groups over a land dispute near Badshahi Pine under Gopalpur police station area in Patna district on Monday.According to police, the injured were identified as Omprakash Yadav (60), a resident of Tulsi Mandir under Alamganj police station, and his neighbour Jitendra Yadav (38). Omprakash sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach, while Jitendra was shot in the thigh. Both were initially taken to a private nursing home and later referred to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) for advanced treatment.The incident occurred when Omprakash and 3–4 others were returning from their farm. An SUV reportedly stopped about 100 yards away, after which 5–6 armed men got down and opened fire following a dispute. The assailants fled the spot in the vehicle. Eyewitnesses said the two sides first clashed with sticks before one group suddenly began firing, triggering panic in the area.Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO-II), Sadar (Patna), Ranjan Kumar said 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 said.“The forensic team inspected the spot, but no empty cartridge was recovered. The main accused, Uday Singh of Karampura under Gopalpur police station, is absconding with his associates. Six people have been named in the FIR lodged by Omprakash. Raids are underway to arrest the accused. We are also coordinating with the circle officer to ascertain ownership of the disputed land,” the SDPO added.
