Bhopal: Five people were on Wednesday killed and eight others injured when members of two communities in a village under Datia district in Madhya Pradesh engaged in a gun battle following dispute over grazing of domestic animals.
The incident took place in the village of Randa at around nine in the morning, Datia district superintendent of police Pradeep Sharma said.
According to the police, there were heated arguments between two villagers, Prakash Dangi and Pritam Pal, following denial of grazing of cattle in a particular area in the village by some members of the Dangi community three days ago.
In a fit of anger, Prakash had slapped Pritam, leading to tension between the two communities.
The warring communities later lodged complaints against each other in the local police station.
According to the police, members of the two communities met on the outskirts of the village this morning to resolve the conflict by settling the dispute among them.
However, someone in the gathering suddenly opened fire, leading to a shootout between the rival groups, police said.
While five people were killed in the incident, eight others were grievously wounded, Mr Sharma said.
The injured were admitted to the local district hospital.
Around 50 people were rounded up in connection with the incident, police said.
Police forces were deployed in the village to bring the situation under control.
The slain villagers have been identified as Prakash Dangi, Surendra Dangi, Ram Naresh Dangi, Rajendra Pal and Raghavendra Pal.
The village falls under Gwalior-Chambal region where gun culture thrives in the villages.
