Investigating a case of clash and firing during a land dispute at Tadasinakoppa on the outskirts of Dharwad on Tuesday, the Hubballi-Dharwad Police have arrested five people.

Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar told presspersons on Wednesday that the dispute started after a group of people entered a farmland in Tadasinkaoppa claiming that they have purchased the land.

As a few local residents, claiming ownership over the land, objected to it, a clash ensued, finally resulting in shots being fired using a revolver.

During the clash, a youth identified as Vittal, a relative of those who claimed ownership of the land, suffered a bullet injury in his leg.

He has been admitted to a private hospital in Dharwad.

Mr. Shashikumar said that the police have invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act while registering the case.

After examining various versions and video clips pertaining to the incident, the arrests have been made, he said and gave the names of the arrested as Philomina Pal, Praveen Sutar, Inderpal, Benjamin and Vishal.

The Police Commissioner said that another accused Sunder Pal is absconding and that steps are being taken to trace him.

Mr. Shashikumar said that preliminary investigation revealed that there are discrepancies in land records and those involved in the land deal have criminal antecedents.

He also said that they are probing into whether gun licence issued to one of the accused Sunder Pal has been cancelled earlier. Scrutiny revealed that Praveen Sutar has a valid licence for the weapon found in his possession.

Along with the arrest of five people, the police have seized a pistol, a revolver and a multi-utility vehicle. Vidyagiri Police have registered the case. Further investigation is on.