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Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh
A long-standing dispute over ancestral property turned violent in Pilibhit’s Sungarhi area, when a man allegedly shot his own brother following a heated argument about land division. The shocking incident took place on Saturday morning, leaving the small farming community in disbelief and fear.
The victim, identified as Ramkishore (45), sustained a bullet injury in his right arm and is currently undergoing treatment at the Pilibhit District Hospital, where his condition has been declared stable. The accused, Gokul Prasad, along with his son Sher Singh, fled the scene soon after the incident. Police have launched a manhunt to track them down.
How the Clash Began
According to villagers, the dispute had been brewing for months. The two brothers, Ramkishore and Gokul Prasad, had been quarrelling over a four-bigha plot of agricultural land left behind by their late father. Repeated interventions by family elders and the village panchayat failed to settle the matter.
On Saturday, around 11 a.m., the argument reignited when Ramkishore allegedly went to the field to inspect the land boundaries. Witnesses said Gokul confronted him angrily, claiming his brother had taken more than his share. What started as a verbal spat soon turned violent.
In a moment of rage, Gokul reportedly pulled out a country-made gun and fired a shot at Ramkishore, hitting him near the elbow. The loud gunfire sent villagers rushing to the spot. Locals quickly intervened, preventing further violence, and rushed the injured man to the district hospital.
Doctors confirmed that the bullet narrowly missed a major vein. Thanks to the quick response of the villagers, Ramkishore’s life was saved. He is recovering and has given his statement to the police.
His wife, visibly shaken, told reporters that the dispute had caused tension in the family for years. “We never thought my husband’s own brother would raise a gun against him. This land has destroyed our peace,” she said.
Police Investigation
Following the incident, Sungarhi Police Station registered a case of attempt to murder (IPC Section 307) against Gokul Prasad and Sher Singh. Inspector Naresh Tyagi, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that teams have been sent to nearby villages to locate the accused.
“The incident appears to be the result of a family property dispute. We are taking it very seriously, and both accused will be arrested soon,” Tyagi said. He also confirmed that the weapon used in the attack was illegally possessed and will be sent for forensic examination.
Police have deployed extra personnel in the area to prevent any further escalation between the families.
Villagers in Shock
The shooting has shaken the residents of Sungarhi. Many villagers gathered outside the victim’s house expressing sorrow and disbelief. “They were brothers who grew up together. It’s painful to see such hatred over a piece of land,” said an elderly villager.
Locals say such disputes have become increasingly common in the region. “Property issues are like ticking time bombs in villages. Everyone wants their share, but when patience ends, tragedy begins,” another villager remarked.
Why Land Disputes Are a Growing Threat
Incidents like this are sadly frequent across rural Uttar Pradesh. Land disputes, often involving small plots of ancestral property, continue to cause tension and violence in many families. In most cases, disagreements arise due to unclear boundaries, poor documentation, or emotional attachments to inherited farmland.
Experts say unresolved family property matters are among the leading causes of violent crime in rural India. Lengthy legal battles and lack of awareness about land ownership laws often leave families frustrated. “Land is not just wealth here; it’s a matter of pride and identity,” explains Dr. Shweta Agarwal, a sociologist from Bareilly University. “When that identity feels threatened, emotions turn violent.”
In Pilibhit district alone, dozens of property-related FIRs are filed each year, many between family members. Local police have urged citizens to settle land disputes legally and peacefully instead of taking matters into their own hands.
Administration Steps In
Following the incident, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Anand Tiwari visited the site and met both families. He assured that the administration will assist in ensuring a fair settlement and has instructed officials to monitor all pending property disputes in the area.
“We will not allow any more bloodshed over land,” Tiwari said. “The accused will be caught soon, and such incidents will be dealt with firmly. Families need to remember that land can be divided, not lives.”
The local panchayat has also planned to hold a peace meeting to encourage other families to resolve similar disputes before they turn violent.
As Ramkishore recovers in hospital, his family remains shaken and fearful. His children have refused to return home until the accused are caught. “We just want peace now,” said his wife. “No land is worth so much pain.”
The once close-knit family now stands divided both emotionally and physically. Villagers say they hope the tragedy serves as a warning to others still fighting over property.
The police are continuing search operations in nearby villages, believing the accused may be hiding with relatives. Authorities have also appealed to the public to come forward with any information. Meanwhile, the community of Sungarhi waits anxiously not only for justice but also for healing. The case has reignited discussions about how deep-rooted property conflicts are silently destroying rural harmony across India.
For now, Ramkishore is safe, but his family’s unity has been destroyed forever. The sound of that single gunshot has left behind a scar that no legal settlement can erase.
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