Jaipur, July 16 (IANS) A long-running dispute between two groups in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district turned deadly on Thursday when a village panchayat convened to resolve the conflict erupted into violence, leaving three people dead in a knife attack.

The incident took place in Surjanwali village under the Chhatargarh police station limits.

According to preliminary information, members of the two rival groups had gathered before village elders in an attempt to settle their differences.

However, the discussions reportedly took a violent turn, and one group allegedly launched a sudden attack with sharp-edged weapons, killing three people on the spot.

The brutal killings triggered panic in the village, with tension spreading rapidly through the area.

A heavy police force has since been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent any further escalation.

Chhatargarh Station House Officer (SHO) Navneet Singh Dhaliwal was among the first police officers to reach the site with a police team.

Senior officials, including Khajuwala Circle Officer Akanksha Chaudhary, later arrived to supervise the investigation.

Bikaner Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachhawa also rushed to the village after receiving information about the incident.

Police said the dispute between the two groups had been ongoing for some time, prompting village elders to organise the panchayat in hopes of reaching an amicable settlement.

Instead, the meeting descended into a violent confrontation that ended in bloodshed.

Following the attack, large numbers of villagers gathered at the spot as news of the triple murder spread, creating an atmosphere of fear and unrest.

Security has been tightened across the area, and police have launched an investigation to determine the sequence of events and identify those responsible for the killings.

Officials said further details would emerge as the investigation progresses.

–IANS

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