A minor dispute over a vehicle collision turned horrific in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district on Friday afternoon, leaving a 33-year-old man with a severed hand after an attack involving an axe. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM near the Alampur bypass under the Batiyagarh police station limits. The victim has accused six individuals, including the local village head, of orchestrating and executing the brutal assault before fleeing the scene.
Ambushed Near Alampur Bypass
The victim has been identified as 33-year-old Guman, son of Khet Singh, a resident of Alampur village within the Batiyagarh police jurisdiction. According to the victim's account, he was travelling on his motorcycle from Khaderi toward the Alampur bypass when he briefly pulled over by the roadside for toilet activities. While he was halted, six men riding on two motorcycles arrived at the spot. One of the assailants, identified as Mudi Aadivasi, forcibly grabbed Guman to restrain him. Subsequently, Alampur village Sarpanch Ajuddi Aadivasi along with four unidentified accomplices dragged him toward an adjoining forest area. Inside the secluded stretch, Ajuddi Aadivasi allegedly struck Guman's wrist area with an axe, cleanly severing his palm from his arm.
Origins of the Altercation
Explaining the motive behind the sudden attack, Guman revealed that the conflict originated a day prior, on Thursday. He had accompanied Sarpanch Ajuddi Aadivasi to the local electricity department office for some official work. On their return journey, the Sarpanch requested a stop at a roadside eatery (dhaba) to eat chicken. After finishing their meal and resuming their travel, the Sarpanch's vehicle hit Guman's motorcycle. When Guman asked the Sarpanch to bear the repair costs for the damage caused to his motorcycle, the Sarpanch adamantly refused. The argument escalated further when the Sarpanch pelted stones at Guman's vehicle. That unresolved disagreement from Thursday led directly to the violent retaliation on Friday afternoon.
Emergency Hospitalization and Police Investigation
Following the axe attack, all six assailants fled into the surrounding area. Guman stated that while he clearly identified Mudi Aadivasi and Sarpanch Ajuddi Aadivasi, he was unable to recognize the other four individuals involved in the assault. Local emergency services were alerted through the Dial 112 helpline, and an emergency response team reached the location to convey the heavily injured victim to the Batiyagarh health center. Observing the severity of the injury and the complete severance of the hand, the duty doctor administered preliminary care before immediately referring Guman to Jabalpur Medical College for specialized surgical treatment. Batiyagarh Police Station Incharge Rajni Shukla confirmed that a case has been registered upon receiving information via Dial 112, and law enforcement officers have launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend the suspects.
