Six killed in clash after dispute over panchayat poll in Guj

Six people were killed in a clash in Gujarat's Kutch district following a dispute over village panchayat elections, police said Wednesday.

An argument erupted between members of two communities late Tuesday night over the sarpanch's (village head) election held sometime ago in Chhasra village in which a woman had won, Kutch (West) Superintendent of Police M S Bharada said.

"Some members of a community held a grudge against the other after facing defeat in the election.The argument over the issue escalated and people from both the sides attacked each other with sharp weapons," he said.

Six people were killed on the spot in the clash.

The deceased were identified as Magan Ahir (27), Bharat Ahir (28), Bhargav Ahir (26) and Chetan Ahir (38), all from the same family, Abid Sabbar Bhulia (25), son of the woman sarpanch, and Amad Abdul Bhulia (70), he said.

Two persons were injured in the incident. One of them was admitted to a local hospital, while the other, who received serious head injuries, was shifted to a hospital in Ahmedabad, the SP said.

A team of police officials was camping at the village to bring the situation under control, he said.

An FIR was lodged against members of both the communities under relevant sections pertaining to rioting, murder and other offences, he added.