According to Deputy Police Superintendent Mahendra Kumar, the deceased, identified as Govind Chhagan, belonged to the Mahida tribal community, while the accused are members of the Katara community. The attack is believed to be the culmination of a prolonged family rivalry rooted in a personal dispute. Kumar stated that the conflict began after Chhagan’s sister was involved in a relationship that her family disapproved of. She was subsequently married to another man a year ago, escalating tensions between the two families. Over the past year, at least three cases involving brawls and property damage had already been registered against them.
The fatal attack occurred when Chhagan, along with members of the Katara family, was returning home after appearing in court in connection with one of the ongoing cases. He was ambushed and repeatedly struck with an axe until he succumbed to his injuries. The assailants fled the scene immediately and remain at large.
Police teams rushed to the location, secured the area, and called in a forensic team to examine the scene. The body was sent to a mortuary for post-mortem examination, and an investigation was initiated.
The situation rapidly escalated later in the evening when members of the Mahida community began gathering in large numbers. Local police officer Ramesh Chandra Patidar reported that between 400 and 500 individuals assembled around 10 pm and moved toward areas inhabited by the Katara community. Initial attempts by police to enter the village were obstructed by the crowd.
By the time law enforcement gained access, an enraged mob had set at least 23 houses and several two-wheelers on fire. Both groups engaged in intense stone-pelting, further aggravating the violence. Police were forced to use force to disperse the mob, while three fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze.
Patidar confirmed that no serious injuries were reported during the clash, although some police personnel and local residents sustained minor injuries. All affected residents were safely evacuated.
Tensions remained high as members from both communities staged a sit-in at the local police station. In response, additional police forces were deployed from four nearby stations to maintain order.
A special investigation team has been constituted to apprehend the accused involved in Chhagan’s murder. Authorities noted that relatives of the suspects fled the village following the incident, and search operations are currently underway. Senior police officials have engaged with villagers to restore calm, and the situation is now reported to be under control.
The incident underscores the volatile consequences of prolonged personal disputes escalating into communal violence, leaving a trail of destruction and deepening divisions within the region.
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