Crime – Deadly Shooting in Ahilyanagar Leaves One Dead, Another Hurt
Crime – A man lost his life and another sustained serious injuries after gunfire broke out between two rival groups in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district on Thursday evening. The incident occurred in Ghodegaon, a town in Nevasa taluka, and is believed to have stemmed from a long-standing dispute between the two sides.
Dispute Turns Violent in Ghodegaon
According to local police, the confrontation escalated suddenly, leading to shots being fired in a populated area. Nitin Vilas Shirsath, 33, was fatally wounded in the exchange. Suraj Fulmali, 23, who belongs to the opposing group, suffered serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge confirmed that the incident took place in the town area and involved a heated argument that spiraled out of control. “An altercation occurred between Nitin Shirsath and Suraj Fulmali. During the dispute, one group opened fire,” he said, adding that authorities responded swiftly to the scene.
Long-Standing Rivalry Behind the Clash
Preliminary investigations suggest that the violence was linked to an ongoing rivalry between the two groups. Reports indicate that the immediate trigger may have been a disagreement over parking arrangements at the local cattle market in Ghodegaon. Tensions between the factions had reportedly been simmering for some time before erupting into violence.
Police officials have launched a detailed inquiry to determine the sequence of events and identify others who may have been involved. Security in the area has been tightened to prevent further escalation.
Second Firing in Two Days Raises Concerns
This marks the second gun-related incident within two days under the Sonai police station jurisdiction, raising concerns among residents and law enforcement authorities. Earlier, in Amalner, Rohit Darandale was shot by two individuals following another old dispute. Police have arrested one of the accused in that case, while a second suspect remains at large.
Authorities are investigating whether the two incidents are connected or simply reflect separate instances of personal enmity turning violent. Senior officials have indicated that maintaining law and order in the region is a priority, particularly in light of the recent back-to-back episodes of gunfire.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
Following Thursday’s shooting, a case has been registered and teams have been deployed to track down those responsible. Officers are collecting witness statements and reviewing available evidence, including any surveillance footage from nearby establishments.
Local residents described panic in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, as the sound of gunfire disrupted the otherwise routine evening in the town. Police have urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the investigation.
Officials also emphasized the need to resolve disputes through legal channels rather than allowing rivalries to escalate into violence. Additional patrols have been introduced in sensitive areas of Nevasa taluka as a precautionary measure.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by unresolved personal and group conflicts in semi-urban regions. Law enforcement authorities say they are committed to ensuring accountability and preventing similar occurrences in the future.