Clash over personal rivalry: Two dead, six injured in Hazaribag village clash; Villagers protest, calling for justice

Hazaribag: Two persons were killed and six injured in a clash allegedly triggered by personal rivalry at Napokhurd village in the district late on Thursday night, police said. The deceased were identified as Rohit Saw, 40, and Pradeep Kumar Saw, 28.Police arrested seven persons, including the main accused, Vikas Saw, 30.Police and local residents said the violence stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Vikas and Vinod Saw, allegedly related to financial dealings in a brick kiln business. Police said that Vikas came to Vinod’s house with his men at 11 pm.After not finding him there, he entered the house and created a ruckus, and started throwing away household items.

At the same time, an SUV allegedly bearing a police board in front arrived and attempted to hit Vinod, who reached there after receiving information. Although he managed to escape, the vehicle rammed into Pradeep Kumar Saw, killing him on the spot. The SUV then crashed into a house wall and overturned. Soon after, a group of men in the SUV allegedly attacked a few people with sharp weapons, leading to the death of Rohit, the brick kiln owner.

Six persons sustained injuries in the attack.Following the incident, angry villagers staged a road blockade at Barkagaon main chowk with the bodies on Friday. Later, miscreants set ablaze the SUV and a tractor.Locals informed the police. Police registered a case against unidentified persons and launched an investigation to identify those involved. Police said the SUV is registered in the name of Suraj Saw, but was reportedly used by his brother-in-law, Prakash Saw, who is in jail.Former Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad said she spoke to DGP Tadasha Mishra, Hazaribag deputy commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh and SP Anjani Anjan, seeking accountability. Prasad, who visited the protest site, alleged that the attack was carried out by criminals led by Ganga Sahu, whom she said was an associate of local BJP MLA Roshan Lal Choudhary.Prasad also alleged that criminal gangs involved in extortion, drugs and other illegal activities were operating in the area with political patronage, and demanded strict action against those responsible.The MLA refuted all allegations. “Her party is in power in the state, and she was using this opportunity to tarnish my image,” he added. Choudhary blamed the local administration for failing to control illegal coal and sand activities.Barkagaon SDPO Pawan Kumar said thepolice are probing the case from all angles and conducting raids to nab those involved in the crime. He said the two bodies were sent for post-mortem examination to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital.