Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20: Police today arrested six persons involved in a clash and shooting at Patrapada late last night.

One person, identified as Abhay Samantray, was critically injured in the incident. Abhay suffered two bullet injuries and was shifted to Capital Hospital late last night. He was stated to be in a critical condition. Four other persons suffered minor injuries during the clash.

Eyewitnesses said the clash occurred around 9pm last night between a group of people led by Abhay and another by one Sambhu Patasani. Abhay was with his four aides when Sambhu reached Patrapada with around 20 of his associates and attacked Abhay and his companions with swords and other weapons. They also opened fire at Ajay's group.

The clash also led to unrest among the villagers till late in the night.

Preliminary police investigation revealed that the clash might have occurred because of past enmity. The police also hinted that the clash between the two groups could be related to the murder of one Dillip Naik, which occurred in June last year.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said the cops had seized a pistol, two rounds of bullets and six motorcycles from the crime spot. He also said they would shortly arrest other criminals involved in the clash. "We are investigating the case. We believe that the clash was due to past enmity between the two groups," said Bhoi.

On June 18 last year, Dilip Nayak, a contractor, was shot dead by near a construction site the AIIMS Hospital at Patrapada. The police had arrested Sarat Kumar Samantray and Surya Kanta Samantray in connection with the case. Both the accused were present at the murder spot and also the associates of Rajendra Barik, who had allegedly masterminded the crime. Later in the same month, the police Barik from Kendrapara. Since then, minor clashes between the two groups have frequently been taking place at Patrapada, said a local resident on condition of anonymity.