Patna, Jan 16 (IANS): A man was blinded and badly beaten up allegedly by his rivals in a Bihar village in a fight for supremacy, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday night when Raju Alam of Gaya district's Sirmaur village was blinded by members of a rival group, considered powerful.

"Raju Alam was blinded after both his eyes were badly damaged with a sharp knife. He was admitted in the hospital after being badly beaten. Doctors treating him told his family members that he may lose vision," a district police official said.

Police have lodged a case against six accused including Mumtaj Khan, Gazi Khan, Chotu Khan, Jamil Khan and Munna Khan on the basis of Raju's statement.

Raju told police that he was attacked and caught by the accused while he was passing near their house in the village.

According to police officer Anuj Kumar, Raju and the accused have an old rivalry over maintaining supremacy in the village. "In the past also, Raju and accused had attacked each other and exchanged fire."

Raju has a criminal past and was arrested by the Special Task Force for arms smuggling in the past.