Krushnaprasad: As many as 30 persons were injured after two groups of fishermen of Jamuna and Patna villages under this block in Puri district clashed claiming their fishing right on a portion of Chilika Lake Sunday.
The fishermen assaulted each other with sharp-edged weapons and lathis. Among them, four persons including two women of Patna village sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the Krushnaprasad community health centre. Doctors referred them to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
Likewise, 13 persons of Jamuna village sustained critical injuries and were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital after primary treatment in the local health centre.
Tension was palpable in the area with two sections of police force deployed to keep a close watch on the unfolding situation.
Puri SDPO Sushil Kumar Mishra and executive magistrate-cum-tehsildar Ashok Kumar Mohanty rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. However, no police complaint has been filed yet.
Patna village committee president Sarat Chandra Jali said the villagers had taken lease of the Kahunia- Sagakhia stretch of the lake from 1959 for fishing. The dispute arose after Jamuna villagers threatened them of dire consequences and started fishing by forcibly taking possession of the portion.
“Their (Patna villagers) claim over the lake was restored after a court ruled in their favour over a case filed by them,” Jali said. The villagers with the help of police retook possession of the stretch last year. Some villagers had then tried to create unrest and hurled abuses at them and the police.
Later, Jamuna villagers forcibly occupied the lake again and prevented Patna villagers from fishing there. The move snatched away the livelihood of Patna fishermen.
Left with no option, Patna villagers entered the lake and tried to retake possession of the lake. This led to a clash between the two groups. PNN
