KAPURTHALA: In ghastly incident, nine women, including one minor were injured in an acid attack at Punjab's Kapurthala village on Monday.
The clash erupted over panchayat land dispute at a village. Seven of the women -- labourers who were at the spot -- received burn injuries.
All the injured have been admitted to a local civil hospital and are said to be out of danger, they said. Reena Sehgal, wife of village sarpanch Vinod Sehgla, who has been seriously injured, has been referred to a private hospital in Jalandhar.
Sources said that the panchayat in Bhuhi village started constructing a community hall and had enrolled some Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) workers to finish the work.
But as soon as work began, a family of four led by local resident Nirmal Singh reached the spot and claimed ownership over the land, locals said. As dispute increase, Singh, his wife and daughter hurled acid at the five workers.
Sarpanch Vinod Sehgal claims the land belongs to the panchayat, the police said. Both sides have accused each other for the acid attack, but the police have arrested a man from the family, claiming that the Akali leader has no role in it. A case has been filed, the police said.