Post News Network
Cuttack: Ten people, including a havildar and a constable of OSAP, received minor injuries and several vehicles and shops were damaged in a clash between two groups of people from Bhagatpur and Jholasahi areas here Sunday.
“The clash took place apparently due to a dispute over land ownership. The injured were admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital,” said DCP Sanjeev Arora. Two platoons of police have been deployed in the area to maintain peace, he added.
Sources said the clash occurred when a shop on a disputed plot of land on Jholasahi-Bhagatpur border was opened Sunday. The disputed plot was purchased by a resident of Jholasahi belonging to a minority community from a former member of a Bhagatpur-based puja committee. The sale was opposed by the committee and the locals. When the shop was opened Sunday, some local objected severely, prompting heated arguments from Jholapur residents and the ensuing clash.
Purighat police personnel, who reached the spot to control the situation, were attacked by the people engaged in the clash. The PCR van was damaged and havildar Sheikh Jayibul was injured.
No complaint was filed by either of the clashing groups till this report was written. Police said they would investigate the matter.