Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), May 30 (IANS) A farmer was critically injured after being shot in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district on Saturday morning, while the accused fled the spot and remains absconding, police said.

The incident occurred in Khamdehi village under Patan police station limits when Dharmendra Raikwar was heading towards his fields around 8:30 a.m.

Police said he had stopped near a newly constructed community centre in the village to water the premises when the accused, Ramnarayan Patel, allegedly confronted him.

According to police, Patel arrived at the spot on a motorcycle and soon got into an argument with Raikwar.

The verbal altercation quickly escalated, following which Patel allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and opened fire at Raikwar.

The bullet struck Raikwar in the abdomen, leaving him critically injured. Villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the gunshot and shifted him to the Patan Health Centre.

He was later referred to Jabalpur Medical College due to his serious condition.

Police reached the hospital soon after the incident and recorded his statement.

During questioning, Raikwar told investigators that he had a dispute with labourers working on Patel’s farm nearly six months ago, which had led to a physical clash between both sides.

“The accused appears to have come prepared and attacked the victim after spotting him alone near the community centre. Preliminary investigation suggests the firing was linked to an old enmity between the two,” Patan SHO Gopendra Singh Baghel said.

“Based on the victim’s statement and initial evidence collected from the scene, we have registered a case of attempt to murder and provisions of the Arms Act. Multiple teams are conducting raids to arrest the accused,” he added.

Meanwhile, the accused fled the village immediately after the firing and remains absconding. Police said the weapon used in the crime has not yet been recovered.

Security has been tightened in Khamdehi village as a precautionary measure to prevent any further escalation following the incident, police said.

–IANS

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