Haryana saw a violent clash between residents of two villages of Hansi sub-division over water on Monday night. At least 12 persons, including panchayat members, were injured during the fight. Around eight motorcycles and a pump set were set on fire.
The residents of Dhani Peeranwali had installed a motor pump to draw water from Puthi minor, but residents of nearby Puthi Mangal Khan village objected to it.
"First they came and asked whether we had permission for the pump, we told them we had required permission. They asked for papers which we didn't show. They went back only to return in large numbers," a villager of Puthi Mangal Khan told news agency ANI, adding that there were around 500-600 people.
Bitter arguments followed and soon turned violent, the eye-witnesses said.
"They had come prepared. Had brought fuel, weapons to target vehicles and burnt them in front of our eyes and also hit people," another villager said, adding that the newly-installed pump was also set on fire.
Public Health department's sub-divisional officer Ananda Garg said that the pump was installed on Monday and has all permissions from higher officials.