Telangana man held for killing neighbour, father over neem tree dispute
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Hyderabad: A decades-old dispute between two families over a neem tree allegedly culminated in a double murder at Erragadda Thanda in Mellacheruvu mandal of Telangana on Saturday.
Police said Bhukya Ram Naik allegedly killed his neighbour, Manda Venkateshwarlu Yadav, following an argument over the disputed tree. He later allegedly killed his own father, Bhukya Saida, in an attempt to portray the incident as a clash between two groups.
The dispute between the two families had reportedly continued for nearly 25 years. On Saturday morning, Venkateshwarlu allegedly arrived near the site with a few others and had the neem tree standing beside his house cut down.
Ram Naik objected to the move, referring to the long-running dispute, and an argument broke out between the two men. The confrontation turned violent, with Ram Naik allegedly attacking Venkateshwarlu with an axe. Venkateshwarlu sustained serious injuries and died on the spot, police said.
Bhukya Saida, who reportedly witnessed the attack, tried to intervene. Ram Naik allegedly attacked his father with the same weapon, killing him at the spot.
Police suspect that the second murder was carried out to make Venkateshwarlu’s death appear to have occurred during a violent confrontation involving members of both groups.
The killings triggered tension in the village, following which members of Venkateshwarlu’s group allegedly attacked Ram Naik’s house. Police personnel rushed to Erragadda Thanda and brought the situation under control.
Ram Naik has been taken into custody for questioning. A case has been registered and an investigation is under way, police said.