The families involved have a history of conflict, with daily arguments over who gets access to the water supply
Team Clarion
OSMANABAD – A tragic confrontation between two families in Vashi taluka of Osmanabad district in Maharashtra, left four people dead and ten arrested. The violence, which occurred during the dead of the night, stemmed from a long-standing dispute over the watering of agricultural fields. What began as a simple disagreement over who would water their crops first quickly spiralled into a brutal clash, resulting in the deaths of three men and one woman.
According to sources, the incident occurred late on Sunday night into Monday morning in the village of Bavi Pedi, where families of the Pardhi society reside. For years, the families have been involved in frequent quarrels, most notably concerning water use from a shared well. However, this dispute reached a violent climax when both parties arrived at the well simultaneously, each wanting to water their fields.
“The fight broke out when both families argued over who would water their crops first,” said a local eyewitness. “It was a heated exchange at first, but quickly escalated into violence. What started as a verbal argument soon turned into a full-blown fight.”
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with several members of each family — both men and women — physically attacking one another. Despite the presence of women who tried to mediate, the situation only worsened. “There were women involved in the fight as well,” said another local, “and their attempts to stop the fight didn’t work. It felt like they were prepared for violence.”
The brutal altercation led to severe injuries, and despite efforts to transport the injured to the hospital, four victims succumbed to their wounds. Among the deceased were three men: Appa Kale, Sunil Kale, and Vijnath Kale. Tragically, a woman also lost her life in the clash. Authorities have yet to reveal the woman’s identity.
The violence left five others seriously injured, though the total number of casualties is unclear at this stage. Sources suggest that several more individuals sustained injuries, but many fled the scene before medical help could reach them.
The families involved have a history of conflict, with daily arguments over who gets access to the water supply. Local authorities confirmed that the families, despite being related, have been involved in numerous disagreements over the years.
“This was a long-standing issue,” said a local police officer. “Every day, there would be some sort of dispute over who had the right to water their crops first. The situation had reached a breaking point.”
The nature of the feud, centered on a resource as vital as water, has created deep rifts between the families. Despite their shared connection, their relationship has been marred by animosity, eventually leading to this violent outbreak.
Upon receiving the report of the clash, the Yermala police immediately arrived at the scene. Ten individuals involved in the violence have been arrested and are currently being questioned. “We have arrested 10 people so far,” said a police official at the scene. “We are investigating the full extent of what happened and trying to gather more details from the locals.”
Police personnel have been deployed to maintain order in Bavi Pedi, with additional patrols expected to continue in the area until the situation stabilises. The police are investigating whether the clash was a result of a spontaneous argument or if one group had planned for violence ahead of time. “It is still unclear whether the dispute over watering the fields was the final straw or if one group had already gathered intending to fight,” a senior officer stated. “We are speaking to the locals to understand the full scope of the situation.”
As the investigation continues, tensions remain high in the village. While the authorities work to resolve the dispute, community members are left in shock. “Tragically, it had to come to this,” said a community member. It’s always been about water, but no one expected it to end like this. It’s heartbreaking.”
This deadly confrontation highlights the fragile nature of water disputes in rural India, where competition for resources often leads to violent outcomes. “Water is life, but it shouldn’t be the reason for such bloodshed,” remarked another villager. “We need to find a way to resolve these issues peacefully before more lives are lost.”
The police are also looking into whether any underlying factors, such as political or personal grievances, contributed to the violent eruption of the conflict. Meanwhile, the families involved in the clash have expressed sorrow over the loss of life, but the wounds from this violent confrontation will likely take much longer to heal.
As the police continue their investigation, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions that can exist within families and communities, often triggered by something as basic as access to water.
Authorities are urging villagers to settle disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. “We hope this tragedy will be a lesson to others,” said the police officer. “Violence should never be the solution to any problem.”
