Three killed in Chhattisgarh sand mining rivalry clash; 4 arrested as probe continues

Korea (Chhattisgarh), Jun 17 (PTI) A long-standing sand mining business rivalry between two families turned fatal for three men who were brutally attacked by a group of people in Chhattisgarh's Korea district, leading to the arrest of four persons, while others are on the run, officials said on Wednesday.

Two persons were seriously injured in the incident, which occurred in Katgodi village under Sonhat tehsil on Tuesday night, involving a truck, an SUV, and a sedan.

The victims were travelling in two vehicles, including an SUV and a sedan, when they were allegedly attacked by members of a rival group, a police official said.

As per preliminary investigation, the attackers repeatedly rammed the SUV with a light tipper truck, damaging the vehicle and jamming its doors, preventing the occupants from escaping. The SUV subsequently caught fire, he said.

Eyewitnesses claimed that some occupants who attempted to break the vehicle's windows and flee were assaulted by the attackers.

One of the occupants, Bharat Singh (aged around 60), was charred to death at the spot, while two others travelling in the SUV suffered severe burn injuries, the official said.

The attackers also targeted the second vehicle and assaulted its two occupants, leaving them critically injured, he said.

Police rushed to the spot after receiving information and brought the situation under control. The injured were initially admitted to the district hospital in Baikunthpur and later referred to a hospital in Ambikapur for advanced treatment.

Virendra Pratap Singh (32), one of the occupants of the sedan who had sustained grievous injuries caused by a sharp-edged weapon, succumbed during treatment at the Ambikapur hospital.

Another victim, Nagendra Singh (53), who suffered nearly 80 per cent burn injuries when the SUV caught fire, died while being shifted to Raipur for treatment, he added.

The two other injured victims have been shifted to Raipur, according to the official.

Four accused have been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are underway to apprehend other suspects, he said.

According to police, the violence stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between the Singh and Tripathi families over sand mining operations.

Both families are originally from Nagoi village near Katgodi. While the Singh family currently resides in Baikunthpur, it continues to operate sand mining and stone-crushing businesses in the area.

Tensions escalated following a dispute between members of the two families on Tuesday afternoon. Later in the night, Bharat Singh and his associates allegedly went to meet members of the rival group after a phone conversation, following which the confrontation turned violent, the official said.

Some eyewitnesses alleged that the attackers poured fuel on the Fortuner SUV before setting it on fire.

However, police refused to confirm the claim, citing the ongoing investigation, saying the vehicle had also collided with an electricity pole during the attack.

Forensic examination is underway to ascertain whether the vehicle was deliberately set afire using fuel or the blaze was triggered by some other factor related to its collision with an electricity pole, he said.

"So far, four accused belonging to the Tripathi family have been arrested. A case has been registered. Efforts are on to apprehend the remaining accused," the official said, adding that further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, members of the Kshatriya community and other communities submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"This was a pre-planned murder. Our relatives were called on the pretext of a settlement and then attacked. Around 25-30 people allegedly carried out the assault. In my 65 years, I have never witnessed such a gruesome crime in Chhattisgarh," alleged Kshatriya community representative, Rajendra Singh.

He claimed that Bharat Singh was burnt alive after fuel was poured on the vehicle and alleged that another victim, Nagendra Singh, was attacked even as he tried to escape while engulfed in flames.

Assuring of strict action, Chief Minister Sai told reporters in Raipur that some of the accused have been arrested. "No accused will be spared," he added.

The incident took a political turn with the opposition Congress alleging that one of the deceased and those involved in the attack are linked to the ruling BJP.

"Sand mafias have been operating under government patronage in Chhattisgarh. Illegal sand mining is being carried out under the protection of BJP leaders. The deceased (Bharat Singh) was a BJP leader, and those accused of the attack are also linked to the BJP," said Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij, claiming rivalries among BJP leaders over illegal mining.

He further claimed that a gang war was underway over illegal sand mining operations in the state. PTI