Vijayapura: North Karnataka’s sensitive Bhima River belt once again turned into a scene of bloodshed after six people were brutally murdered in a violent clash linked to a long-standing land dispute in Govindapura village of Chadachan taluk in Vijayapura district on Friday evening.
The gruesome massacre has sent shockwaves across the district and triggered panic among residents, while tension continues to prevail in the village following the killings. According to police sources, the victims were first attacked with deadly weapons and later shot dead by a gang of armed assailants in what investigators suspect was a pre-planned revenge attack.
The deceased have been identified as Chandu Nirale (56), Dundappa Nirale (65), Shivaputra Nirale (60), Rahul Nirale (35), Samarth Nirale (24) and Shabbir Nadaf (50). Most of the victims belonged to the influential Nirale family of Chadachan town, which is considered one of the financially strong and politically connected families in the region.
Soon after receiving information about the incident, Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi, along with senior police officials and armed personnel, rushed to the spot and inspected the crime scene. Additional police forces have been deployed in Govindapura and nearby villages to prevent any retaliatory violence and maintain law and order.
According to preliminary investigation, the violence erupted over a dispute involving nearly 25 acres of agricultural land located in Govindapura village. Police sources said the land had originally belonged to the Teli family and had remained under dispute for nearly 15 years between the Teli and Golagi families.
Investigators revealed that about a year ago, the Nirale family allegedly purchased the disputed land at a price significantly lower than the prevailing market value despite repeated objections from local residents and rival groups.
Sources claimed that the land, which reportedly carried a market value of around Rs 25 lakh per acre, was purchased by the Nirale family for nearly Rs 15 lakh per acre. Appugouda Golagi, who owned adjacent farmland, had allegedly opposed the transaction and warned the Nirale family against purchasing the land.
Despite the warnings and threats, the Nirale family went ahead with the deal and had recently started clearing the farmland using tractors and JCB machines in preparation for cultivation.
Police said that on Friday evening, while members of the Nirale family and labourers were working in the field, a gang comprising more than 15-armed men allegedly launched a sudden and coordinated attack. The attackers reportedly threw chilli powder into the eyes of the victims before assaulting them with sugarcane-cutting machetes and other sharp weapons. Gunshots were also fired during the attack, creating panic across the village.
All six victims died on the spot due to severe injuries. The sound of screams and gunfire forced villagers to rush indoors, while several frightened residents alerted the police.
The bodies were later shifted to the Chadachan Taluk Government Hospital for postmortem examination. Thousands of people gathered outside the hospital, and emotional scenes unfolded as family members of the deceased broke down in grief.
Police suspect the killings were carefully planned and executed as part of a revenge attack connected to the land dispute. However, officials said the identities of all accused persons are yet to be officially confirmed.
Speaking to reporters, SP Laxman Nimbargi said, “The incident appears to have taken place due to a serious property dispute between two groups. Investigation is underway, and special teams have been formed to identify and arrest all those involved in the attack.”
Meanwhile, members of the Nirale family have accused BJP leader Appugouda Patil alias Golagi and his associates of orchestrating the murders. Police, however, have not yet officially confirmed the allegations and said all angles are being investigated.
Sources said the Nirale family was widely known in Chadachan town and more than 30 members of the joint family reportedly lived under one roof. Chandu Nirale, one of the deceased, had also served as a former Taluk Panchayat member.
The brutal killings have once again highlighted the growing incidents of factional violence and land-related disputes in parts of north Karnataka, particularly in the Bhima belt region known for recurring criminal rivalries and revenge attacks.
Police have launched a massive manhunt to trace the accused persons, while senior officials continue to monitor the tense situation closely. Authorities fear the incident could trigger further unrest if immediate action is not taken against those responsible for the massacre.
