Chhattisgarh man charred to death, 4 injured in sand mining dispute linked attack

Police said the five were travelling in two vehicles when members of a rival group attacked them and repeatedly rammed a vehicle with a truck

Published on: Jun 17, 2026, 15:55:13 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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A 60-year-old man was charred to death, and four others sustained serious injuries in an attack allegedly linked to a long-running dispute over sand mining at Katgodi village in Chhattisgarh’s Korea district on Tuesday night.

Police said four people have been arrested. (Shutterstock)

Police said the five were travelling in two vehicles when members of a rival group attacked them. Preliminary investigation suggests the attackers repeatedly rammed one of the vehicles with a truck, damaging the vehicle and jamming its doors, preventing those inside from escaping. The attackers assaulted some occupants of the vehicle who attempted to break the windows and flee when it caught fire.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the attackers poured fuel on the SUV before setting it ablaze. Police said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be established, as the vehicle had struck an electricity pole. Forensic experts were examining whether the vehicle was set on fire or whether the collision triggered the blaze.

One of the occupants, Bharat Singh, was charred to death. Two others suffered severe burn injuries. Two occupants of the second vehicle were seriously injured.

Investigators said the violence appears to have stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between the Singh and Tripathi families over sand mining operations.

Police said Bharat Singh and his associates had earlier met members of the rival group following a phone conversation. Four members of the Tripathi family have been arrested. Police said efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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