Ryot burnt alive over property dispute

NIZAMABAD:  In continued clashes between two rivals,  regarding issues concerning farmland, a farmer was burnt alive by his rival in Pedda Pothangal village of Gandhari mandal, in the district on Thursday.  According  to police sources,Mittapalli Dattu (35) had an ongoing dispute with his farm neighbour Vittal Reddy over land issues and they were constantly fighting.  The situation was this: if Vittal Reddy had to go to his farm, he had to cross Dattu’s land. Dattu did not like the idea and the anger between them touched news heights.It is alleged that Vittal Reddy provoked Dattu by setting fire to his hay.  After the news reached Dattu, he rushed to his field along with his brother Hanumantha.  He had heated arguments with Vittal.As anger between the two increased, Vittal got physical and beat up Dattu with the help of 3 others and threw him into the fire that was burning. Dattu was roasted alive.  They threatened his brother Hanumantha too and fearing for his life, he managed to escape. Dattu is survived by his pregnant wife Anitha,  daughter and son.  Gandhari CI Ramakanth Rao and SI Chander Rathod rushed  to the spot and inspected the crime scene.Interestingly Dattu’s parents have complained to the police that, behind this murder conspiracy is the hand of his (Dattu’s) elder brother Ellaiah. They have also filed a complaint against Vittal Reddy and 3 others: Srikanth Reddy, Srinivas Reddy and Kantha Reddy.According to his parents, Dattu’s elder brother Ellaiah for sometime now had been acting  against Dattu, in connection with a property dispute.  Information reaching here said that Gandhari police have taken the accused into custody and are investigating.