NAGPUR: A territorial dispute among Plaster of Paris (POP) workers turned violent in Wadi after a 25-year-old man allegedly attacked a fellow worker with a stone over a disagreement about working in his area. The victim, a 23-year-old POP worker, sustained head injuries and was treated at Lax Hospital.

According to the complaint registered with Wadi police, the accused, Lucky Bhise (25), who also works in the POP business, had allegedly assaulted the victim’s friend, Mayur Bhalavi, on October 19, telling him not to work in his area.

The victim, Sumeet Rajendra Shinde (23), a resident of Indrayani Nagar in Dattawadi, reportedly called Bhise in an attempt to resolve the dispute and explain the matter to him.

However, the disagreement allegedly escalated in the early hours of October 21. Shinde was sitting with his friend near a water tank in Wena Nagar when Bhise allegedly arrived at the spot and challenged him, asking, “Are you trying to act like a don?”

The accused then allegedly grabbed Shinde by the collar, picked up a stone lying on the ground and struck him on the head before fleeing the scene.

Shinde was subsequently taken to Lax Hospital for treatment. Based on his complaint, Wadi police registered a case against Bhise under Section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The incident highlights how disputes over work territories among local POP workers can escalate into physical violence.