A finance company employee fired at his relatives after a clash, injuring four persons early on Friday in what was a fallout of a longstanding dispute triggered by a quarrel with his aunt.

Upendra Singh (32) was got into an altercation with his aunt Meera Devi (58) which soon led to the involvement of others at Martkuria Railway Colony at bank More. The verbal duel escalated into a physical fight in which fisticuffs were exchanged and sticks used.

Upendra then took out his pistol and fired indiscriminately. Meera and her sons Pintu Singh (30) and Sintu Singh (22) received gunshot injuries. Upendra's father, Markandey Singh (65), was also injured in the attack.

Upendra fled the spot soon after the incident.

Dhanbad SSP Aseem Vikrant Minz said the incident was a result of animosity among relatives. “Three persons received gunshot injuries. We are conducting raids to arrest the main accused, Upendra Singh," he said.

Meera and her son Pintu are said to be critical. They are undergoing treatment at Mission Hospital, Durgapur. Sintu, who sustained bullet injuries in the abdomen, is being treated at the ICU of PMCH, Dhanbad. He is said to be out of danger.

Updendra’s father, Markandey, a retired banker, received head injuries after being beaten with sticks. He is undergoing treatment at a private clinic, Patliputra Nursing Home, in Dhanbad. He is out of danger.

Both Upendra and his cousin Pintu are recovery agents. They have a history of disputes. Upendra's wife Uma had in March 2018 lodged an FIR against Pintu and others in connection with an attack on him. Upendra was seriously injured after he was fired upon on March 22, 2018 near Skylark in the Bank More area.

Police sources said Upendra faces several cases pertaining to threats and extortion. Last week, on October 9, Giridih resident Prakash Kumar, who was driving down to Ranchi, went missing for four hours. Later, he accused Upendra of abducting him since he had pending EMIs of a loan.