One dead, six injured in clash over farm access in Gujarat's Junagadh

RAJKOT: A clash erupted on Saturday between two neighbouring families over farm access in Panakhana village of Keshod taluka in Junagadh district, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to six others. Police charged 19 people after receiving counter-complaints from both groups.
The confrontation occurred on Saturday morning between the Jota and Gangna families, who are related and own adjacent farms. According to Ranjitsinh Gangna, his uncle, Bhaya Gangna, had purchased land next to Naja Jota's farm. The dispute began when Naja allegedly denied Bhaya access through his land to reach the newly acquired plot, prompting Bhaya to lodge a complaint with the deputy collector.
On the day of the incident, Ranjitsinh, along with relatives Jethsur, Pithram, and Nanu Vikram, was headed to their farm on a tractor when they were allegedly intercepted by Naja Jota and others, armed with axes and iron pipes. The resulting scuffle led to Pithram sustaining severe head injuries, which proved fatal. His death was confirmed by doctors at the Keshod government hospital.
Police investigations revealed that Bhaya Gangna had purchased five acres of land from Mulu Sisodia about seven months ago. The Gangna family had been cultivating this land, which lies adjacent to Naja Jota's property. The ongoing conflict over an access path through Naja's land led to the dispute being escalated to local authorities.
Based on a complaint by Ranjitsinh Gangna (38), police charged 15 members of the Jota family, including Bhupat Jota, Somat Jota, Devdan Jota, Naja Jota, and Rawat Jota, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for offences including murder, obscene acts, criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, and assault.
Later, Jitu Naja Jota lodged a counter-complaint at Keshod police station against Pithram Gangna (deceased), Jethsur Gangna, Ranjitsinh Gangna, and Vikram Gangna, accusing them of assault and issuing death threats. Jitu alleged that the Gangna family members attacked him and his relatives while asserting their right to use the pathway, resulting in injuries to himself and two women from his family.