Ex-serviceman shoots at cousin over land dispute

An ex-serviceman allegedly shot at his cousin thrice with a countrymade pistol over a property dispute at Mallapur village at Bailhongal taluk in Belgaum district on Saturday.

Police said that Shivanagouda Fakirgouda Patil, 55, a native of Mallapur and assistant sub-inspector of a police station at Nasik in Maharashtra, had been to his native village for Deepavali. On Saturday, Shivanagouda and his uncle’s family members met to resolve the property dispute. 

Shivanagouda’s cousin Karibasappa Shivalingappa Patil, 65, an ex-serviceman urged the former to part with his share of 1.18 acre of the farmland, which the latter refused to do. Irked over the refusal, Karibasappa opened fire at his cousin.

Shivanagouda sustained a bullet injury in his stomach. He has been shifted to a private hospital in Belgaum for treatment and is said to be out of danger. 

Police have launched a manhunt for Karibasappa, who is absconding. Nesaragi police have registered a case.