Five persons were killed in a possible case of caste conflict in Barh subdivision of Patna district on Monday afternoon.

Police said the victims belonged to the backward Kurmi community. The Kapil Yadav gang is suspected to be responsible.

Tension gripped Barh soon after and angry protestors blocked the roads. Senior police officers rushed to the region and ordered a hunt for the killers.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Rituraj identified the victims as H Mahato (60), Suman Mahato (60), Rajendra Mahato (53), Sukhdeo Mahato (50) and Dasrath (25). He said the incident was most probably a sequel to a land dispute.

Last week seven dalits were killed by the Akhilesh Singh gang in Nawada district following a dispute over a contract for mining river sand. In retaliation, the Ashok Mahato gang killed seven Bhumihars. Akhilesh Singh, who is lodged in Beur jail in Patna, is a Bhumihar. Mahato is a Kurmi.