A long-running dispute over sand mining turned deadly in Korea’s Chhattisgarh region on Tuesday night when a 60-year-old man and two others were killed after their car was attacked in Katgodi village, news agency PTI reported.
Police said the victims were traveling in two cars when they were intercepted by members of a rival group.
As HT reported earlier, preliminary findings indicate that one of the vehicles, an SUV, was repeatedly hit by a truck, severely damaging it and trapping those inside.
“Competition in sand mining”
According to investigators, the attack appears to be linked to a long-standing rivalry between the Singh and Tripathi families over sand mining operations in the area.
Police said Bharat Singh and his associates met members of the rival group earlier in the evening after a phone conversation. It is believed that the meeting preceded the violent confrontation.
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“The vehicle is broken down and escape attempts are thwarted.”
The attackers, suspected to be from the Tripathi family, allegedly ambushed a car carrying members of the rival Singh family.
Investigators said the collision jammed the car’s doors, making it difficult for its occupants to escape. When the car caught fire, some passengers allegedly tried to break the windows and escape, but the attackers assaulted them, police said.
Eyewitnesses claimed that fuel was poured on the car before it was set on fire. However, police said the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
In the midst of the attack, the car also hit a power pole during the incident, and forensic experts are examining whether the fire was started intentionally or was caused by the collision.
One of the passengers, Bharat Singh, died after being trapped in the burning car.
Four members of the Tripathi family have been arrested in connection with this case. Police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining suspects.
(With inputs from Ritesh Mishra)
