Berhampur: As many 15 persons including 5 seriously injured in a clash between the residents of Ramayapatana and Katuru village under Chikiti block in Ganjam district today.Yesterday,dispute over digging up of mouth of Bahuda river joining sea led to a tussle between Ramayapatana and Katur uvillage.Sources said,at wee hours on yesterday,Ramayapatana villagers dugup a new mouth encroching the Badanala and lands of Katuru village,for smooth pasage of their boats into sea.As the Badanala attached to the channel,the villagers of katuru who earn their livelyhood by fishing in Badanala,opposed it and burried the mouth with sands.Following which,residents of both the villages were in a confronting mood.Since tension prevails in the area,today Chikit,BDO,Tehsildar with police reached the place for a settlement between the the villagers.While the officials were busy in interacting with the people,a group allegedly of Ramayapatana attacked the people of Katuru present at the spot with lathi,stone,bottles.The villagers of katuru to retaliate the attack and with handful police the administrative officials remained a silent spectator.In the attack and counter attack five persons of Katuru injured seriously and ten persons of Ramayapatana too sustained injuries.In the clash two police constebles also sustained injuries.Receiving the information Berhampur SP,Dr Saravana Vivek M with two platoon police reached the place and dispersed the quarelling villagers.The injureds were treated at locals hospital and the five serious injureds reffered to MKCG MCH.The situation is under control and police deployed at the area said the SP. The SP said so far,21 persons of Ramayapatna and 19 persons of Katuru has been detained
