Neighbourhood dispute over gate turns violent in Mandsaur, four injured

Indore: A simmering neighbourhood dispute turned violent in Ambika Nagar of Daloda in Mandsaur district late Sunday night when two families clashed, leaving four persons injured, two of them critically. The confrontation escalated to the use of a sword and other sharp-edged weapons and the injured alleged that the attackers also carried a pistol during the assault.Police said that the clash stemmed from a long-running disagreement over the opening of a gate. According to Pooja, a resident of Ambika Nagar, her house has two gates — one opening on the other side of the lane and another facing the house of neighbour Kala Rathore. She alleged that Rathore routinely objected to her opening the front gate, leading to frequent arguments.On Sunday afternoon, when a water tanker arrived, Pooja opened the front gate to collect water. This triggered an altercation between Rathore's mother Durga and Pooja. Though the verbal spat subsided after some time, tensions remained.Pooja alleged that late Sunday night, Kala Rathore arrived at her house with several associates and began banging on the main gate. When the family did not open it, the group allegedly entered through another gate and began assaulting her.Hearing her screams, her mother Chandabai, 38, rushed to intervene but was also attacked. Anil Meena, 40, who was passing by, attempted to mediate but, he was allegedly assaulted too.Anil sustained severe injuries to both hands, along with serious wounds on his head and shoulder, reportedly from sword blows. Chandabai suffered deep injuries on both hands, shoulder and back. Pooja's daughter Manisha sustained minor injuries, while her two-year-old son was also hurt in the violence.Police said that a case was registered.