Water dispute turns ugly, forces called in

Sheikh Hilal

SHOPIAN

Police on Thursday had to use tear smoke shells to disperse hundreds of people of two villages who were fighting over a dispute of water in Zainapora area of Shopian district in South Kashmir.

Seven people were injured in the quarrels between the two villages and all of them have been hospitalized.

Reports said that two villages namely Reban and Khojepora are divided by a stream the water of which is used both the villages for agricultural purposes.

Sources said that there is very little water in the stream nowadays which both the villagers used to divide but the continuous water scarcity has resulted in the dryness of the agricultural fields in the area which has worried the farmers.

Both the villages were demanding more water and the raising demands finally culminated today first on a scuffle and then clashes.

Sources said that at least seven persons got injured when the fighting parties exchanged blows and lathis. They said six injured were moved to nearing Zainapora hospital and the one with some critical injury was shifted to district hospital Islamabad. He has been identified as Sabzar Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, a resident of Reban.

Confirming the clashes DSP headquarter Shopian Zahoor Ahmad said that a police party was on the spot to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, local sources said that as the police party reached the spot the clashing groups started pelting stones on the police party. They said Police fired many tear smoke shells to disperse the mob.

At least four police men were also injured by the stone pelting after which CRPF was called in.

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