5 killed in Datia in argument over cattle grazing: Madhya Pradesh police

According to police, two days ago, a cow had entered the farm of some members belong to Pal’s family which were chased out following which a dispute started over this incident and both parties had lodged police complaint.

The shootout between members of the Dangi and Pal communities took place around 9 am at Renda village in the district.

Datia SP Pradeep Sharma said,
“A dispute broke out between the Dangi and Pal community at the village over cattle grazing. Both the parties were counselled and a cross FIR was also registered. The villagers tell us that the elders had gathered to resolve the dispute, when some anti social elements showed aggression during this meeting. In this firing incident five persons died. Three of them are from the Dangi community and two of them from the Pal community.”

Police have said that some suspects have been rounded up and an investigation was also underway to ascertain the source of weapons.

“We have rounded up the suspects in this case and they are currently being questioned. The weapons used in the commision of crime. We have confiscated some licensed weapons and live rounds, we have also recovered some unlicensed weapons and ascertaining it’s source. Our police force has been deployed inside the village as well as been deployed in surrounding villages to arrest the absconding accused,”Sharma said.

Police said that before the incident, there were simmering tensions between Prakash Dangi and Pritam Pal, who had registered complaints related to the dispute at the Civil Lines police station.

One of the injured, Gyan Singh Pal said, “There was a dispute with the Dangi community about driving away the cattle. We came to settle the matter, but they started firing at us. I got shot in the leg.”