It all started when Jugraj, alias Raja, claiming to be the owner of land, came to get it vacated from the possession of Satnam Singh of Talwandi Sabo.

"It was alleged that Gurjant Singh, former sarpanch of the village, let Satnam occupy the land, on which construction was on. Today morning, when Jugraj came, Gurjant and others caught in a duel, following which shots were fired. Two persons, Chhota Singh and Mandeep Singh, were injured," said SHO Ranbir Singh.

Besides them, Joginder Singh, a Dalit labourer from the village, sustained a bullet injury in the knee.

A case was registered against Gurjant and some unidentified persons. The SHO said, "As Chhota and Mandeep were unconscious, we will record their statements tomorrow and a counter case will be registered."

Gurjant said it the dispute was between Jugraj and another person. "I am unnecessarily being dragged into it. I do not even possess a weapon," he added. In his statement to the police at Bathinda Civil Hospital, where he was brought for treatment, Joginder Singh, who sustained a bullet injury, said he has been working as a labourer with Jugraj. He said villagers and panchayat members tried in vain to settle the dispute.