The incident took place over the removal of encroachments in the area. Pandya had rushed to Pankhan village to prevent further violence. As an immediate measure the Home minister has suspended village talati J J Dave. Besides this, he also posted two companies of State Reserve Police Force and 40 persons have been arrested in this connection. Saurashtra range IGP P L Jani and Junagadh DSP Keshav Kumar have also rushed to the spot and have started investigations into the incident.

The Home minister said, of the arrested persons, the PASA (Prevention of Anti-Social Activity) Act would be raised against those who are having criminal record. He had also visited the Dalits' locality andassured them that all necessary measures are being taken for their safety.

The trouble started when Darbars of the village took objection to some Dalit labourers working in a Government Gauchar plot. The Dalits were trying to take possession of the land while the Darbars too wanted the possession of this Gauchar land.

Punja Karsan Harijan, Harijan leader of the village has lodged a complaint at the Keshod police station. He said that the Darbars were objecting to their presence in the plot where they were clearing the leftover fodder.

``There was a heated exchange between both communities for sometime. Later the Darbars lead by Kala Nenand Sisodiya and 80 others attacked us with axes, lathis and spears and mercilessly beat up everybody who was present there.''

According to police, the desperadoes pillaged the entire plot which had cattle fodder in it and set it on fire after sprinkling kerosene all over the ground. About 80 Harijan labourers who were working there have been beaten up by themiscreants.

About 30 persons who were seriously injured in the scuffle have been rushed to the Junagadh city civil hospital where District Collector Sunayana Tomar visited them and later rushed to Pankhana village.

State control in here Ahmedabad said that nearly 40 persons have been arrested so far while police is searching for another 50 persons who are absconding.