NewsFlash Daily™
29 May 
Six people were hacked and shot dead in Karnataka’s Bhima river belt amid escalating land disputes between rival families
Vijayapura: Fear and tension gripped Karnataka’s Bhima river belt after six people were brutally murdered in Vijayapura district following a violent property dispute that escalated into a deadly armed attack.
The gruesome incident took place in Govindapura village of Chadachan taluk, where a group of armed assailants allegedly attacked members of the Nirale family over a long-standing land dispute. The victims were reportedly hacked with deadly weapons before being shot dead, triggering panic across the region.
Police officials confirmed that the attack occurred within the limits of the Chadachan police station and has created a highly tense atmosphere in the area.
Six Killed in Brutal Vijayapura Land Dispute Attack
The deceased have been identified as Chandu Nirale, Dundappa Nirale, Shivaputra Nirale, Rahul Nirale, Samarth Nirale, and Shabbir Nadaf.
According to preliminary police information, around 15 to 20 armed men allegedly stormed the farmland where members of the Nirale family were working and launched a sudden assault using sharp weapons and firearms.
Investigators said the attackers allegedly chased the victims before brutally killing six people on the spot in what is being described as one of the most shocking mass murder incidents in the region in recent years.
Bhima River Belt Violence Linked to Disputed Farmland
Police sources revealed that the conflict was linked to a disputed 24-acre agricultural land parcel purchased by the Nirale family nearly six months ago from a resident of Govindapura village.
Reports suggest that local individuals, including Appugouda Patil and some of the accused, had allegedly warned the Nirale family against purchasing the disputed property.
Despite objections and previous tensions surrounding the land, the Nirale family reportedly proceeded with the purchase and recently began clearing the field using tractors and JCB machines to prepare it for farming activities.
Authorities suspect the fresh activity on the disputed land may have triggered the violent retaliation.
Previous Village Mediation Failed Before Deadly Attack
Officials stated that both families had earlier participated in a local mediation or “Nyaya Panchayati” meeting in an attempt to resolve the dispute peacefully.
However, the conflict allegedly continued to intensify, eventually culminating in Thursday’s deadly attack.
The brutality of the murders has once again drawn attention to violent land and property disputes in parts of North Karnataka, particularly in the Bhima River region, which has historically witnessed incidents linked to rivalry and factional conflicts.
Heavy Police Deployment in Vijayapura After Mass Murder
Senior police officers, including Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi, rushed to the crime scene and initiated a detailed investigation into the killings.
Given the tense atmosphere in the village, authorities have deployed additional police personnel as a precautionary measure to prevent further violence or retaliation.
Police teams are currently conducting searches to identify and arrest all those involved in the massacre.
