Bharwads clash with Thakors over alleged police complaint against cattle menace; 15 arrested, say cops

One person died and 15 others were reportedly injured in clashes between the Thakor and Bharwad communities on Nal Sarovar Road at Godaj village in Sanand area of Ahmedabad District on Tuesday. The tiff was over an alleged complaint of cattle menace.

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.

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