Kabirwala: A labourer was killed during a violent clash between two rival groups over a land dispute in the limits of Nawan Shehr Police Station in Kabirwala, prompting the District Police Officer (DPO) to suspend the area Station House Officer (SHO) over alleged negligence.

According to police and local sources, members of two factions of the Thaheem community clashed over a land possession dispute. During the altercation, the victim was allegedly assaulted with the butt of a rifle, leaving him critically injured.

The injured man was shifted to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim's family alleged that they had twice contacted the Police Emergency Helpline 15 before the incident, but timely police action was not taken, which resulted in the fatal outcome.

Police said a murder case had been registered against the accused, and raids were being conducted at various locations to arrest the suspects.

Sources said both the deceased and the accused had been involved in previous litigation, adding that the incident appeared to be the outcome of an old enmity coupled with the ongoing land dispute.

Police have launched further investigation into the incident.