Ganjam, Mar 10: Tension ran high as villagers of Ramayapatana and Kuturu villages battled over canal mouth digging in Kutur Mouza under Chikiti block in Ganjam district.

According to the information, people of the two villages earn a living by fishing in the sea. Protecting the village land from soil erosion due to sea waves has been a major challenge in recent years. Recently, the people of Rameyapatana, without holding any talks with Kutura people, dug and widened the mouth of Bada Canal for the free flow of water into the sea. Kutura people argue that they will suffer a lot due to the mouth.

While villagers of Rameyapatna expect to use the mouth for easy boat sailing to undertake fishing in the sea, people of Kutra argue that the mouth will cause damage to their village and earning livelihood as well.

Thus, Kutra villagers undertook a drive to fill the mouth dug by the people of Ramayapatena. Tension ran high as people of two villages threw stones at each other during talks in the presence of police and administrative personnel. At least five villagers were injured in the incident.

The tense situation may intensify further in the area as villagers are at loggerheads over the matter. They may be indulged in a bloody fight if the issue is not resolved soon, as many feel.