Five wounded as villagers clash in Surendranagar

Jebalia and four others,including a woman,were injured in the clash and were rushed to a government hospital in Surendrangar in critical condition,police said.

“Jalu had given Jebalia a buffalo calf for raising two years ago on a condition that either of them could keep it at a mutually acceptable price when it grows up. On Saturday,Jalu demanded the calf back and offered Rs 9,000 in rearing charges. However,Shantu did not agree to part with the buffalo at any cost,leading to the fight this morning,” Velubha Vaghela,police sub-inspector (PSI) of Muli police station said.

He added that the condition of the injured people has been certified as stable by the hospital in the evening.

“The injured have been claiming that they were shot at and had received gunshot wounds. But prima facie,the injuries have not been caused by bullets,” the Vaghela further added.

The PSI said the 10 assailants,including a woman,had fled soon after the incident. No one has been detained or arrested,sources said.

On the basis of a complaint filed by Jebalia’s brother Valku Jebalia,police have booked Jalu and 10 others for rioting and criminal intimidation.