Patna, Nov. 12: Five persons were wounded in a gunfight between two groups last night at Panapur diara under Akilpur police station in Patna rural.

Police today said supporters of Raj Kumar Rai, an influential farmer in the diara (riverbelt), attacked the house of his arch rival, Kameshwar Rai, around 9.30pm and started firing from their arms. Randhir Kumar, 17, Kavita Kumari, 15, and Ritesh Kumar, all relatives of Kameshwar who is also an influential farmer, were injured in the attack.

On hearing the gunshots, Kameshwar’s neighbours locked themselves up inside their houses. However, Kameshwar’s family members fired in retaliation, leaving two persons — Rana Rai, 46, and Kamla Devi, 60, wounded.

It took over an hour to rush the injured to Danapur sadar hospital because there is no road in the area. Residents have to cross the Ganges in country boats, the only source of transportation in the diara. Randhir was shifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital as his condition was stated to be serious.

Kameshwar told the police that Raj Kumar had allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh as extortion from him two days ago. “When I refused to pay him the money, he threatened me with dire consequences. Around 9.30 pm yesterday, he, along with his accomplices, attacked my house and fired. Three of my relatives were injured,” he said.

Danapur sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Anil Kumar Singh said one person received bullet injuries and the rest were beaten up. “We have launched a search to arrest the assailants, belonging to both the groups,” he added

The SDPO said the incident was a fallout of an altercation with the owner of a litti choka shop a couple of days ago. The shop owner was allegedly beaten up by Rana over a trivial issue. “Brij Nandan Rai, an uncle of Randhir, had opposed to the incident. When Randhir was shot at, his family members attacked the rival group,” the SDPO said.

Patrolling has been intensified, station house officer of Akilpur police station Brijnandan Paswan said.

Three held

Danapur police arrested three persons from Bibiganj locality and seized two country-made pistols and a cartridge on them. The three were identified as Sarfaraz, Raushan Choudhary and Abhishek Kumar.