Two people were shot dead after an argument over a land dispute took an ugly turn in Bavla town, Ahmedabad district, on Sunday. The victims have been identified as Mahesh, alias Bhurabhai Bharwad, and Ranjit Devubhai Bharwad. Mukul Patel and Trigunbhai Patel, claiming to be the owners of the land, had come to the site near Adroda village — on Ahmedabad-Rajkot State Highway — in the afternoon to evacuate the allegedly encroached place by the Bharwads. The Patels were accompanied by a crowd, including bouncers and private bodyguards. A few members of the Bharwad family allegedly attacked them with sticks, and someone from the other side opened fire with a private gun, said Rajendra V Asari, superintendent of police of Ahmedabad Rural. "The Patels claimed the land belonged to them as per 7/12 extracts of revenue records. They had gone to evacuate the encroachment and were attacked by sticks. The firing took place in a counterattack that hit Mahesh and Ranjit. They died at the spot. Another member from Bharwad group has sustained injuries," Asari said. "The dispute between the two parties is very old. The land is worth crores. The police were called by someone from the village after the firing took place. Law and order were soon brought under control," Asari added. The police officer also said that the statements were being recorded from witnesses. Both the parties have filed cross-complaints, in which the offence had been booked against Bharwad family members under CrPC 307 while the members of the Patel family have been booked under CrPC 302. "We are processing for the filing of the complaint and investigating the case. We are going to first probe who opened fire. The police have also seized arms from the scene of offence," Asari said.

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