A man was killed and two people were injured on Sunday when a group of armed men opened fire following a dispute over distribution of flood relief material in Bhojpur district, around 60km west of Patna.

The incident took place around 10am, when a team of administrative officials had gone to Khawaspur village under the jurisdiction of Krishnagarh police station to distribute relief material among flood victims of the area.

Police said the deceased, Rakesh Yadav (30), a resident of Gaura Tola, had opposed the manner in which relief was being distributed, leading to skirmishes between two groups of people. Rakesh had alleged that the officials were not distributing material equitably, and that he and those of his caste in the area were receiving fewer relief materials than the upper caste members. Enraged at this, a member of the rival group opened fire, causing injuries to Rakesh and two others.

Rakesh succumbed on the way to the hospital, while the injured have been admitted to Chhapra Sadar Hospital in Saran district in a critical condition. The firing has exacerbated the tension between the two groups.

"We have disclosed the names of the accused to the police. A day before the incident, the accused had threatened Rakesh not to expose the irregularities in relief distribution," said Manoj Kumar, a relative of Rakesh.

When contacted, Bhojpur superintendent of police Kshatranil Singh told The Telegraph over phone on Sunday: "A team of officials has been sent to the area to ascertain the reason behind the incident.

"Police are finding it difficult to reach the spot as the village is situated on a riverine area in the Ganga. The entire Khawaspur panchayat of the district has been affected by the flood," Singh said, adding that senior officers will monitor the situation. No arrest had been made till reports last came in on Sunday evening.

The flood victims of several villages had earlier too protested over the alleged apathy of administrative officials. Local RJD MLA Saroj Yadav, who had gone to oversee the distribution of relief material in flood-hit areas last week, was kept captive and roughed up for suggesting that the distribution should be implemented more equitably.

The accused group in Sunday's incident had opposed his initiative to provide materials to the caste that formed the bulk of his vote bank.