Tension in Kaithal village after 50-year-old dies in group clash

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kaithal, March 23

Tension prevailed in Badsui village in the Guhla area of the district after a man was killed and 15 others were injured in a clash between two groups on Friday.

According to villagers, the clash took place over the division of land between a gurdwara and a temple. The two sites are reportedly located on shamlat land.

SP Waseem Akram said deceased Shamsher Singh, 50, was a resident of Badsui village. Around 15 people from both groups were injured and admitted to the Civil Hospital here and the Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. He said that all injured were out of danger. The last rites of Shamsher Singh were performed this afternoon.

The district administration has deployed a large number of security personnel at the village. A villager said that the issue had flared up a year ago. “On Thursday, it was noticed that a part of the land was being dug. When the gurdwara committee objected to the ‘unilateral demarcation’ of the land, its members were attacked by the other party. Shamsher Singh suffered a head injury and died at the Rajindra Hospital, Patiala,” he added.

The SP said that the administration had stopped all constructions on the land. He added that former sarpanch Om Prakash had been arrested for instigating people. Several others had also been rounded up, he added.

He said that the preliminary probe revealed that the clash was the outcome of political differences between the two factions of the village. “A peace committee has been formed with members of various communities of Badsui and adjoining villages. They have been urged to find an amicable solution to the matter. We are keeping a strict vigil,” the SP added.