At least 12 members of a Dalit family were injured, two of them critically with stab wounds, in an alleged attack in the Ishopur locality of Phulwari Sharif in Patna on Thursday, following a dispute during an idol immersion procession, police said.

Source: Nation Press

According to the family and police accounts reported so far, a group of around 25 people, allegedly led by Sanjay Yadav, entered the residence of Ramkumar Chaudhary and attacked family members with sticks, clubs and knives. The allegations are yet to be established through the police investigation.

Two critical at AIIMS Patna

Ramkumar Chaudhary and Pankaj Kumar sustained the most severe injuries and are undergoing treatment at AIIMS Patna, where their condition is reported to be critical. The other injured include Aman, Riya Kumari, Bahadur Chaudhary, Lalmuni Devi, Pankaj Chaudhary, Ankit, Aarti Devi, Ajay Chaudhary, Deepak and Anil, who were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Source: RS Tadharma Media

Officers from the nearby Ishopur police outpost who reached the spot to intervene were also allegedly attacked, leaving several police personnel injured, according to local residents. Additional forces were then deployed and the situation was brought under control, police said.

Two detained, investigation under way

Police have detained two people in connection with the incident and are trying to trace the remaining suspects. The family has alleged a longstanding dispute between the two sides and claimed similar incidents had taken place in the past, but police have not officially confirmed the precise cause of Thursday's violence. A video purportedly showing the assault has surfaced, though its authenticity is yet to be established. Tension prevailed in Ishopur on Thursday evening, with an enhanced police presence in the area.