Tension grips Karnal village after clash between two groups

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, August 23

Tension gripped Manchuri village in the district after a clash between two groups over a panchayat land of around three acres on Wednesday morning.

Two tractors and two bikes were torched by the mob. Several shots were reportedly fired. More than 10 persons sustained injuries and are admitted at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital (KCGMCH).

A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain peace and harmony.

As per the residents, the incident took place at around 10.30 am over a land of around three acres of panchayat, which was allotted for a school.

A group was trying to encroach upon the land by moving tractors in it today, following which the residents of the village reached there and objected, which led to this incident. While the other group claimed of having a stay order in their favour.

As per the eyewitnesses, some of the residents set the two tractors and two bikes on fire. These tractors and bikes were belonging to those who came there to harvest land.

The injured have been identified as Amar Singh, Renu, Raj Kumar, Kajal, Raj Kumar, Nafe Singh, Darbara Singh, Jhirmal Singh, Balwinder Singh, Balkar Singh, Bakhshish Singh and others.

Darbara Singh said they have a stay order of this land in their favour, that’s why they went there to take the possession.

While from the other side, Rohtash, a resident of the village, said that it was panchayat land and was allotted for school, but some persons wanted to encroach upon it.

DSP Assandh Dalbir Singh rushed to the spot with heavy police force and took the situation under control.

“We are investigating the case and statements are yet to be recorded from both the sides. We will also verify the revenue record to ascertain the reality,” said the DSP.

SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa confirmed that the shots were fired and the police have been deployed there to maintain law and order.

Four persons of one party sustained bullet injuries, while four persons of other party have injuries from sharp-edged weapons.