Manoj Kumar| TNNKoderma: A long-pending land dispute in Chitarpur village under Koderma police station limits turned fatal on Wednesday night with the killing of Raj Kumar Yadav (35), driver of local BJP MLA Neera Yadav, and injuries to three of his family members, triggering protests, arson and heavy police deployment.Police said Raj and his family were attacked with sharp weapons by their immediate neighbours around 9 pm. He succumbed to injuries at Sadar Hospital. His father, Dashrath Yadav, who suffered critical head injuries, was referred to a Ranchi hospital, while his mother and daughter were discharged after first aid.The killing sparked outrage, with villagers staging a protest early Thursday. Around 6.30 am, agitators blocked the Ranchi-Patna highway outside Koderma police station, placing Raj body on the road and disrupting traffic for nearly two hours. The blockade was lifted after SDO Normal Soren and DSP Arvind Kumar assured swift action.Tension escalated again around 1 pm when the body was taken back to the village after postmortem. Family members set the accused’s house on fire and attempted to cremate the body on the premises. Firefighters faced resistance from the crowd, and senior police officers took nearly five hours to bring the situation under control.Locals said the violence was the culmination of a bitter property dispute between the two families dating back to 2007.SP Kumar Shivashish said an FIR has been lodged on the complaint of the victim’s wife, Shweta Yadav. Five accused — Gopal Yadav, Gulbi Devi, Bhikhan Yadav, Sachin Yadav and Neeraj Yadav — have been arrested, while raids are on to nab seven others.The SP said, “Police are maintaining strict vigil and patrolling the area to prevent further flare-up. Further probe is underway.”