Cuttack, Sept. 13: Two persons were shot at in a clash between two groups over a property dispute in Bidanasi police limits here today.

The injured - Parbati Das, 65, and Subhra Mohanty, 57, - are battling for life at SCB Medical College and Hospital and the police have arrested the prime accused, Purna Chandra Mohanty, 83, in connection with the incident.

Sources said there was a long-standing dispute between Purna and Kishore Kar, another resident, over a piece of land for the past 17 years.

The accused allegedly opened fire at Parbati, a contractor, after the latter had gone to the site at 10.50am today. Purna, a retired government employee, had allegedly fired three rounds from his licensed single barrel gun from a close range.

Subhra, who runs a small shop some 200 metres away from the spot, was also injured after the pellets hit her.

"Prima facie it appears to be a case of a property dispute. However, we have arrested the prime accused and further investigation in connection with the incident is on," said deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora.

Arora said it appeared that the incident occurred due to sudden provocation. The condition of both the injured is now stable.

"My father was standing near the disputed land today when he was attacked by Purna," said the victim's son Natraj Das.

Bidanasi police have seized a single barrel gun and 10 rounds of live ammunition from Purna's residence.

The police said the court had earlier issued a status quo on the land as both Kishore and Purna had documents for the same land.

An inquiry is now under way to ascertain the original owner of the plot measuring over 3,000 sqft, the police said.

Source said Kishore had hired Parbati for demarcation and construction of boundary wall at the disputed land, which was opposed by Purna and his family members.

"We have registered a case under Indian Penal Code 307 and 25/27 arms act and further investigation is on to ascertain whether other persons were involved in the attack or not," said inspector-in-charge of Bidanasi police station Pradip Rout.

The condition of both the injured is said to be stable.