1 dead,15 hurt in row over cattle

Irate members of the two communities resorted to firing and attacking each other with sticks and sickles,leaving the area tensed. The situation was brought under control following deployment of force by the district rural police. Fifteen people were arrested,the police said.

Sodha Thakor (50),a member of the sarpanch’s family succumbed to a serious head injury during the clashes. Members of both communities suffered injuries,the police said.

The Sanand police said the incident was the fallout of a previous complaint by the Thakors against the Bharwad community on Saturday. The Thakors had complained that cattle belonging to the Bharwad community had become a nuisance in the agricultural fields in Godaj village.

Cross complaints were filed against Deva Thakor and Popat Bharwad after today’s clashes.

According to the FIR registered with the Sanand police,the Bharwads attacked the Thakors to avenge the registration of the FIR when the latter were on their way to the fields.

The Bharwads reportedly tried to run over the Thakors with their tractor and attacked them with sickles.

Later the violence spread outside the house of a Bharwad community member after people from both communities joined the melee.

Bhikha Bharwad,one of the eyewitnesses said: “The clashes happened right outside my house. It got worse when community members started calling more people to join the fight. Both tried to run each other down with tractors while others opened random fire. The police came much later but by that time,one Thakor was already dead.”

Investigating Officer Inspector M M Zala said this was a fresh incident of violence between the communities over a personal issue.

“The Thakors were going to the field where the Bharwads bumped into them. They had an argument over a personal matter but after the argument heated up,both attacked each other with sticks and sickles. The situation was immediately brought under control. The entire district police force was deployed to put down the violence.”

Sodha Thakor’s body was cremated in the evening amidst high security,while the injured were rushed to the hospitals in the village and in government hospitals in Ahmedabad.

Heavy police deployment has been put in place in Sanand district,the rural police said.