Patna, Jan. 8: A 35-year-old woman was today killed in an exchange of fire between two groups at Kanhaipur village under Mokama police station in Patna rural.

The incident took place around 8am when some alleged supporters of Mahesh Yadav, a local strongman, attacked the house of his arch rival and neighbour, Shyam Sundar Yadav, following a dispute over some trivial issue on Saturday. The supporters of Shyam Sunder fired in retaliation. Shyam’s wife, Sita Devi suffered bullet injuries, in the ensuing encounter.

Though the woman was rushed to the Najrath hospital, doctors there declared her brought dead.

On getting information about the incident, a police team, led by the Barh assistant superintendent of police (SP), reached the spot.

The supporters of Mahesh escaped on horses while firing in the air on seeing the police personnel arrive the spot. “Raids are on to arrest the criminals involved in the murder of Sita,” superintendent of police Patna (rural) Manoj Kumar said. He added that both and Shyam have been fighting for land rights in the Mokama Tal area for quite some period. Additional forces have been deployed at the village as a precautionary measure. The SP said about 12 persons had been detained for interrogation. The incident has triggered tension in the area, which is notorious for clashes over land rights.

Assistant superintendent of police (ASP) (Barh) Shaurabh Kumar Sah said the police opened 10 rounds in self defence. “The attackers indulged in indiscriminate firing when the police tried to intercept them near Kanhaipur railway halt,” he said. The ASP said that efforts were on to arrest the assailants.

Drug damage

Three persons have been arrested for allegedly distributing expired medicines to women who had gone to a free medical camp for family planning operation at Kaparfora Primary School under Kursakatta police station in Araria today.

The three - Ramanand Jha, Gopal Jha and Prakash Jha - worked for Jay Ambey Welfare Society, a Purnea-based NGO. They were allegedly found distributing expired medicines to 53 women, who had undergone operation for family planning yesterday.

After a few women complained about complications, Araria superintendent of police Shivdeep Lande, conducted a raid at Kaparfora Primary School and arrested the trio. The police also recovered expired medicines, including Nimesulide from them.

'Two-three women complained about complications today. A team led by an NGO had initiated a sterilisation drive on Saturday. The patients who are very serious were advised to get treatment in Araria. Initially, they were getting treatment at a private nursing home at Kursakatta,' Lande said.