Punjab Newsline | Una
A violent clash between two families in Badoli village of Himachal Pradesh on Diwali night turned tragic, leaving a couple dead and several others injured. The dispute, reportedly stemming from an old rivalry, escalated into allegations of attacks with sickles and a Thar SUV being deliberately driven into family members.
According to a complaint filed by Keshav Thakur, a resident of Badoli, he was bursting firecrackers with his family in the courtyard of his house on the night of November 8 when an argument broke out with his neighbours, identified as Paramjeet, Fateh Singh, Anu, Tejasvir Singh and Omkar Singh, over an old dispute.
Keshav alleged that during the altercation, Paramjeet attacked him on the head with a sickle, while Omkar Singh assaulted his father, Jarnail Singh, with the same weapon. According to the complaint, Jarnail Singh subsequently hit Omkar Singh, his wife Veena and Sushma Devi with a Thar SUV.
However, the other side has presented a different version of the incident. In his complaint, Ajmer Singh, also a resident of Badoli, alleged that around 9:30 pm, Jarnail Singh alias Jaila arrived outside their house in a Thar SUV along with his son Keshav.
Ajmer Singh alleged that the duo deliberately drove the vehicle at high speed towards his family members with the intention of killing them. He claimed that he, his wife Sushma, son Omkar Singh and daughter-in-law Veena Devi sustained injuries in the incident.
Following the clash, all the injured were rushed to the Regional Hospital in Una for treatment. However, doctors declared Omkar Singh and his wife Veena Devi dead on arrival.
The deaths of the couple have plunged Badoli village into grief, while tension has reportedly prevailed in the area.
Considering the seriousness of the incident, police have registered cross-cases based on complaints filed by both parties and initiated an investigation.
Una Superintendent of Police Sachin Hiremath confirmed that two people had died in the clash between the two groups in Badoli. He said police were thoroughly investigating all aspects of the incident, including the allegations levelled by both sides.
The investigation is expected to establish the exact sequence of events and fix responsibility for the deaths.
