Four people were killed and one person was injured when a dispute over the construction of a road divider turned bloody in this Uttar Pradesh district, police said Tuesday.

 

 The incident took place in Ahirai village Monday where the majority backward population opposed the construction of a road divider, as asked for by contractors Lallu and Hari on a new road being laid in the village.

 

 The villagers beat up the contractor duo, after which supporters of Lallu and Hari retaliated armed with axes, swords and knives, police said.  Three people from the village — Ram Baran, Ram Saran and Raju — died on the spot while critically injured Pannalal succumbed on way to hospital.  

 

 Another villager Vikas, who sustained serious wounds, was undergoing treatment in hospital.  Deputy Inspector General Bhagwan Swaroop said police teams have been formed to nab the culprits who were on the run. 

 

 District police chief Manzil Saini said additional police force has been deployed in the village owing to mounting tension over the killings.