DUMKA: Eight persons, including a woman , were killed and nine were critically injured in a clash over land dispute at Hathigarh village, under Littipara police station on Friday afternoon.

Dumka DIG, Dev Bihari Sharma, and SP Ajay Linda rushed to the spot soon after being informed about the clash. The district administration has deployed police forces in the village to thwart any further possibility of violence.

“Eight persons have been killed over a land dispute in Hathigarh village. I have directed the Pakur SP to immediately rush to the spot,” DIG Dev Bihari Sharma confirmed on his way to Pakur. The injured people were admitted to Pakur sadar hospital.

Police said, both groups belong to the same family and have been having the dispute for years. The incident was triggered after one group stopped the other group from sowing paddy on Friday afternoon. Last year, one group was sent to jail after they attacked the other members. Recently, the group was released from jail and on Monday, they confronted the opposing members at the paddy farm.

Sources said both groups fought with weapons like bows, arrows, shackles and spades. The deceased members include Babu Hopna Kisku, Karu Kisku and Charan Murmu from one group and Thakur Marandi, his wife, Shiv Marandi, Sufal Marandi and Parsan Marandi of the other group.

Terming the incident unfortunate, Littipara JMM MLA Anil Murmu alleged that the local police administration did not reach the spot on time despite being informed about the clash. “Had the police reached the spot on time, fewer people might have been killed,” Murmu alleged.

Meanwhile, police have been conducting raids to nab the accused persons who are at large.