A naib-sarpanch was killed and three others seriously injured in a clash over use of a village field in Odisha's Dhenkanal district today, police said.
Bimbol village under Dhennanal Sadar police station virtually turned into a battle field as rival groups wielding guns took the centre stage as one group turned their ire on the gram panchayat functionary Sadananda Pradhan (52) and others, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Rajkishore Dora said.
Pradhan represented the local Madhussahupatna gram panchayat.
The clash took place over use of the field as people belonging to the Juang Sahi area insisted on using it as a playground while other villagers demanded to convert it into a grazing ground.
Pradhan, who owned a control dealer shop at Juang Sahi, allegedly went against the opinion of a one particular group inviting their wrath.
Three seriously injured persons were first treated at the district hospital and then shifted to the SCB Medical College after their condition deteriorated, Dora said.
Tension prevailed in the area but was under control, Dora said adding one section of the armed police was deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
