The deceased has been identified as Soumya Ranjan Kundu. He was allegedly killed by Kabu Dash and Pauni Dash, both auto-rickshaw drivers. The murder is said to be fallout of a dispute over a land dispute and pan shop, DCP Prateek Singh told the mediapersons.
Speaking at a presser, the DCP said, “There was a dispute over land between the two accused and the victim. They had engaged in heated arguments over the issue earlier. Late Tuesday night, the two were in a drunken state and spotted the victim at around 2am, while he was out to fetch water. The duo again picked up a fight with him over and assaulted him before stabbing him with a sharp-edged weapon. The accused duo then fled the spot.”
“On learning about the incident, Sahid Nagar police reached the spot and rushed the victim to AIIMS in a critical condition. However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Police swung into action and arrested the duo,” the DCP said adding that further investigation into the case was on.
When questioned on why the cops were not present at the spot during the festive season, the DCP said that it wasn’t a pre-planned murder. It happened in the spur of the moment.
“I have held a meeting with all the senior police officials. Efforts are on to enforce tight security during the Puja holidays to avoid any untoward incident during the celebrations,” he further stated.
Furthermore, the DCP added that the land was an encroached government land.
“Efforts are on to demolish all the illegal encroachments across the Smart city. We are keeping a strict vigil on extortion and stringent action if anyone found collecting ‘Chanda’ or extorting people,” the DCP concluded.
As per preliminary reports, there was some dispute between Dalai and Nrupati’s family over a piece of land on which efforts were being made to dig up a pond in the village.
The deceased was a former ward member and recently, his daughter-in-law was elected ward member from the village.
Dhenkanal SDPO Bikash Behura informed, "Nrupati Nayak is a contractor and was trying to lift soil from the nearby pond using tractors. The deceased and his family members were opposing it as the vehicles were damaging the village road which was narrow. Today, the deceased opposed when tractors arrived in the village, but it irked the opponents. The accused and his family members then fired at Dalai using a country-made gun (used for hunting purpose)."
Dipak, son of the deceased, said, “My father had asked them to take JCB from another route. Later, four to five persons came and fired several rounds at my father.”
Following the death of Dalai, his family members attacked the accused’s wife and his three-year-old son when they were trying to flee the village. It is alleged that deceased Dalai Nayak’s family members attacked the accused’s wife and son who are now undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Keeping in view the palpable tension in the region, one platoon of police force has been deployed to maintain law and order situation. Meanwhile, one person has been detained in connection with the incident.
As per reports, the son of 103-year-old Prusty (fondly called Nanda Sir) was stopped by a group of miscreants mid way while he was out to fetch medicines for his father. The miscreants then allegedly thrashed him and threatened to do the same with his father (Nanda Sir) if he does not mend ways.
The victim was rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.
Speaking about the incident, Prusty’s grandson, Khageswar said, “The case over a disputed land was dismissed by the Court, so I constructed a house over it. However, the other party which is claiming ownership of the said land attacked my father and threatened my grandfather yesterday.”
“I have registered an FIR in this connection,” he added.
The Police have launched a probe following registration of the FIR and launched an operation to nab the accused. However, they still remain at large.
IIC of Sukinda Police station, Shiva Charan Behera that police could not trace the assailants at their house as they have already fled the area.
"Two mobile phones have been recovered from their houses and are being examined. A manhunt has been launched and they will be nabbed soon,” said the IIC.
It is pertinent to mention here that as many as six persons from Odisha were conferred with the Padma awards this year. Nanda Kishore Prusty popularly known as Nanda Master was honoured with the Padma Shri by the President of India for his over seven decade-long contribution in the field of education, and social service.
At 103, Prusty still imparts free-of cost teaching to primary students in his area at his 'Chatashali'.
The deceased Ramesh Behera alias Nunu hailed from Ganeswarpur village and was dealing in property by buying and selling land. On Saturday evening (August 28), Ramesh had gone to see one of his property at Satyanagar.
It is then that he was reportedly attacked with sharp weapon by unknown miscreants, and Ramesh succumbed to the injuries. Receiving information, the Industrial Area Police rushed to the spot and launched a probe into the matter.
Meanwhile, Ramesh's family members suspect that the attack might be fallout of a land dispute. Meanwhile, police have seized Ramesh’s scooty and the weapons used in the crime which were retrieved from the spot. A scientific team has also been called for detailed examination of the case.
As part of the investigation, Police also questioned a few persons residing close to the crime scene.
As per sources, a lingering land dispute between one Govind Dandsena of the village and Ramchandra Pradhani became severe last night leading to a scuffle between them.
The situation took an ugly turn after Dandasena shot Pradhani with a country made gun resulting in his death, said brother of the deceased Ninda Pradhani who also suffered an attack by the accused following the incident.
Ninda who received grievous injuries in the attack was rushed to Baliguda hospital in a critical condition.
As the accused Dandsena is stated to be absconding after the incident, police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprit.
Inspector In-Charge of Baliguda police station, Ramakanta Barik informed that a special team of police has been assigned the task to probe and arrest the accused soon.
Police sources said accused PK Bariha hacked his son Subarao Bariha with an axe following an altercation and later ended his life by hanging himself.
The land dispute had led to tension between the father and son since past few days. Yesterday while son Subarao was sleeping at his house veranda, Bariha reached the spot and started a quarrel. Suddenly in a fit of rage Bariha attacked Subarao with an axe causing the latter’s death on the spot. Later the elderly man committed suicide by hanging himself, added sources.
Atabira IIC Gaurang Sahu and Bargarh SDPO Suresh Nayak reached the spot and sent both the bodies for post mortem. The axe used in the murder has been seized.
Sources said Chandra Sekhar Majhi and Bichhed Samantsinghar of Raj Jankia village had a long-standing feud over land issue.The incident took place when Samantsinghar’s family attacked the family members of Majhi. Besides Majhi, his daughter and granddaughter were also critically injured in the attack.
On the other hand, Majhi alleged that the Chandpur police did not pay any heed to his plight when he brought the matter before them. With no option left, Majhi knocked the door of the SP seeking justice.
Additional SP Sridhara Pani said an investigation into the incident will be conducted and action will be taken against persons found guilty.
“FIR has been registered against five to six persons in this connection. All accused have absconded. Search is on to nab them. Besides, the injured have been sent to hospital for treatment,” Pani said.
The deceased identified as Jangal Singh (35) was having a long-standing feud with father Ram Singh and brother over a piece of land, sources said.
Ram Singh along with son Bacha Singh thrashed Jangal mercilessly yesterday.
Following the incident, local villagers rescued Jangal and rushed him to Oupada hospital in a critical condition.
Though Jangal was then shifted to the Soro Community Health Centre, he succumbed to injuries later.
Meanwhile, local police have reached the spot and detained Ram Singh and his son Bacha Singh while further investigation in connection with the murder is still on.
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As per reports, Barada Prasanna Barik and neighbour Manath Barik had previous enmity in connection with a land dispute.
Earlier today, Manath had hurled abuses on Barada while the latter was returning from his farm and also attacked him with an axe. Barada was admitted to Nilagiri hospital and his condition was stated to be critical.
Meanwhile, Manath has surrendered in Nilagiri police station, said sources.
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The deceased brothers have been identified as Hiran Bag and Laxman Bag of Nandaguda village.
According to sources, the villagers of Gaganapur and a family from Nandaguda had been fighting since long over possession of a government land for cultivation.
The incident occurred when few villagers of Gaganapur, on Saturday, were ploughing in the disputed land when the rivals, Bag family in protest objected them. This led to an armed clash between the two groups which eventually resulted in the death of Hiran and Laxman.
A case was registered at the Jeypore Sadar police station and an investigation has been initiated.
According to sources, the incident took place around 4 am today after the woman was attacked allegedly over a land dispute. The deceased, an unmarried, has been identified as Nilima Saha(40).
On getting information, Bidanasi police rushed to the spot and recovered the body.
Suspecting Nilima’s younger sister and brother-in-law behind this murder, police have detained both and are interrogating them.
“Three miscreants entered inside our house today morning and attacked me with stones after which I lost my senses. I don’t remember anything after that. This is not the first instance that we have been attacked,” said Nilima's sister, Purnima Kundu.
Further investigations are on.
According to sources, police raided various places and detained the five persons in connection with the brutal killing.
According to preliminary investigation, land dispute is suspected as the main reason behind the murders. Police has formed three teams to probe into the incident.
Notably, three of a family, including a woman and her son, daughter and their relative’s son were murdered at Paganai village under Jayadebakasaba police outpost in the district in the wee hours of Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Prativa Mandal (44), her son Suman Mandal (15), her daughter Sujan Mandal (18) and their relative Bibek Majhi (13).
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The assailants killed the Pratibha, her children and son of their relative with a sharp weapon. After killing the four, the miscreants beheaded Pratibha and threw her head 100 metre away from her house. Besides, they also blank fired one round of bullet at the spot.
Balasore: In a macabre act, three of a family, including a woman and her son, daughter and their relative’s son were murdered at Paganai village under Jayadebakasaba police outpost in the district in the wee hours of Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Pratibha Mandal, her son Sujan Mandal and daughter Suman Mandal.
According to reports, the assailants killed the Pratibha, her children and son of their relative with a sharp weapon. After killing the four, the miscreants beheaded Pratibha and threw her head 100 metre away from her house. Besides, they also blank fired one round of bullet at the spot.
Being informed about the incident, Balasore SP Niti Sekhar, SDPO Amaresh Panda and Sadar police station officer in-charge Dayanadhi Das along with scientific team and dog squad rushed to the spot and started an investigation into the brutal murder.
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Police has seized one sword, one chopper,a lathi and a lathi from the spot, sources informed.
Amaresh Panda, SDPO, said, “Sharp objects like sword and chopper were used in the murder. The locals have also heard firing sound. Besides, we have also seized live bullet from the spot. We are probing the incident from various angels.”
“Investigation into the matter is on and the picture will be clear after completion of the probe,” Panda added.
Though the exact reason behind the murder is unknown, police and relatives of the deceased suspect land dispute as the reason behind the brutal killing.
However, the mastermind Narendra Das aka Litu is yet to be apprehended by the police.
According to sources, police have seized two billhooks, one machete and a revolver from the three arrested accused.
As informed by Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi, Chandan came from Rourkela and started his business by opening Sai Kutir restaurant. He bought the land for the purpose with help from the three arrested accused Jaga, Kapila and Barju. In exchange, Chandan had made arrangements for employment and free food at the hotel for them. However, dispute arose when Chandan put the hotel on lease following which the three accused murdered him.
“We have arrested the three main accused and they have confessed to their crime. We have also recovered weapons of offence from them. We are interrogating them, but prima facie it looks like a property-related assault and killing,” the SP pointed out.
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On the other hand, the Puri Bar Association’s cease-work stir continued for the second day today. The association is unmoved on its demand seeking transfer of the Puri SP.
“We are questioning his mode of functioning. As per our scheduled deadline, we will continue our stir following which we will have a meeting and decide our further course of action,” said secretary of the Puri Bar Association, Sarada Samal.
The deceased has been identified as Gopi Dalai (68) and Somanath Dalai (26).
According to sources, Santosh Dalai, hacked his father Gopi and younger brother Somanath to death over some family dispute.
On being informed about the incident, police rushed to the spot and arrested Santosh.
The deceased has been identified as Rina Sahoo.
According to sources, a fight ensued between the family members over a land dispute following which Rina's brother-in-law and nephews attacked her.
Rina sustained critical injuries in the attack and died on her way to hospital, sources added.
Kedar Sahoo, husband of the deceased, said, “The incident took place on Saturday night when I was at a nearby shop. My younger brother, his two sons and my elder brother’s two sons attacked my son first.”
“When my wife tried to resist them, they punched her on her chest. She felt pain in her chest and died on her way to hospital. I have lodged an FIR against the four persons, who attacked my wife causing her death,” Sahoo added.
On being informed about the incident, Sadar police rushed to the spot and sent the body to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for postmortem.
Meanwhile, police have detained five persons, including the brother-in-law of the deceased, for their involvement in the crime.
The incident took place at Harinagundi village under Kamarda police station limit of the district.
The victims were identified as Narayan Giri and his brother Madhusudan Giri. The duo was attacked by Durgasankar Dash of the same village with a sword, while they were engaged in a quarrel.
The attack was so severe that both the victims received multiple injuries and died on the spot, police said.
"The police have arrested the accused and investigating the incident," sub-divisional police officer of Jaleswar, Ramchandra Gauda said.
The arrested persons are - Arjun Malik and Tulia Pradhan, police said adding a nephew of the deceased had filed an FIR naming 12 persons for killing his uncle.
"Based on the FIR, we have arrested two persons and the rest accused will be arrested soon," said Jyoti Prakash Panda, inspector-in-charge of Jenapur police station.
Police said Kalandi had a prolonged dispute with Arjun Malik's family over a land.
Police have reportedly detained two persons in connection with the incident for interrogation.
According to reports, the two families of Sona Khan and Sheikh Nizam of the area used to quarrel as they were not in good terms for the past few months over some property dispute.
However, the situation turned worse on Saturday after some members of Khan’s family allegedly barged into Nizam’s house and attacked his family members with sharp weapons.
“Some members of Khan’s family barged into Nizam’s house and attacked women members. The two families were in a dispute over a piece of land,” alleged a villager.
"Three among the injured, including two women, have been shifted to SCB Hospital after their condition deteriorated. A complaint against seven persons in this regard has been registered at the police station," informed Nischintakoili police station IIC, Subhendu Parida.
Sources said the arrested woman is the stepmother of the seven-year-old minor girl and has committed the crime over property dispute with her husband. The accused will be forwarded to court later in the day, sources added.
Earlier, on Thursday, the dead body of girl was found from the water tank of her house. According to reports, the minor girl, daughter of one Pradip Meher of the village had gone missing since Thursday morning. Later during a search the family members found her body in the water tank.
“When I returned home from work, my daughter was missing. We began a frantic search and found her dead body in the water tank. My wife killed the kid,” alleged Meher.
On basis of a complaint lodged at the Patnagarh Sub-Divisional Police Station the woman was arrested today.
As per reports, Ajay Behera of Ramakani village had a fight with his elder brother, Bijay over a land dispute. Sources said that Ajay attacked his father over construction work being undertaken by Bijay. Irate over Ajay's protest and attack on his father, Bijay allegedly tied the hands and legs of Ajay and his wife and beat them up on the main road of the village today.
On being informed by some locals, Mahakalapada Police reached the village and rescued the couple with the help of the villagers. Police reportedly have detained Bijay and his son for interrogation.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, informed sources.
According to sources, one Ganeswar Barik had a long standing land dispute with his younger brother Jogesh Barik. The ongoing dispute between them took an ugly turn after Ganeswar allegedly attacked Jogesh's wife Kadambini with a sharp weapon when she was alone in the house yesterday.
Kadambini, who sustained grievous injuries on face and neck, was first admitted to Niali Primary Health Centre and later was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Local police have started an investigation into the matter. A man hunt has also been launched to nab Ganeswar who is absconding after the incident.
A woman member of the family and two boys escaped unhurt as they had locked themselves inside a room during the incident on Friday night, an officer said.
According to the police, Manoj Ahirwar (45) and Sanjiv Ahirwar (35) were brothers and their families lived in adjacent houses in Bina town, around 150 km northeast of Bhopal, the police said.
The dispute started two days ago when their uncle, Manohar Ahirwar, asked for two-foot-wide strip of land belonging to Sanjiv Ahirwar's family to create an approach road as construction work was going on in his house, Bina police station incharge Anil Maurya said.
As arguments over the issue escalated, Manohar Ahirwar and his two sons, Praveen and Prashant, allegedly attacked Sanjiv Ahirwar and his family on Friday night, Maurya said.
"While Manoj, Sanjiv, his wife Rajkumari (30) and son Yashwant (12) died on the spot, Sanjiv's paternal aunt Tarabai (55) later died at the Sagar medical college during treatment," the officer said.
Manohar Ahirwar has been arrested and his licensed gun that was apparently used in the crime recovered, but his sons are on the run, the officer said.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and a search is on to nab the other two accused, the officer added.
The matter came to the fore today after the woman, a resident of Gandhinagarpara area in the town lodged an FIR at Bolangir Town Police Station leveling allegations of assault against the constable.
Meanwhile after a preliminary investigation into the incident, both Pradhan & Jain have been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to reports, the woman's brother-in-law tried to sell their paternal land and asked her signature on No-Objection Certificate (NOC). But when she refused to sell the land, he sought help from the police constable Pradhan.
But as she continued to stay adamant on her demands, Pradhan reportedly took away her two minor children to the police station yesterday evening. Later, he called the woman to the police station and tried to manipulate her to give signature of a stamp paper.
When she protested, Pradhan reportedly thrashed and manhandled the woman, her father and sister following which she ran away from the police station. However, Pradhan caught her near Kacheri Chhak and assaulted her in public. She was rescued by some local youths present at the spot.
“He manipulated me and took two signatures from me. When I came to know that he had taken my signature on the land’s stamp paper, I tried to snatch away the paper. In the meantime, he manhandled me,” said the woman.
On the other hand, Pradhan has refuted the charges on him. “If the woman is bringing some allegations then she must have had some fight with her brother-in-law. I do not know anything about it. I was not mediating their case, instead her brother-in-law is my friend so I was trying to solve the issue,” said Pradhan.
“The signature that I took from her was to take her children home,” added Pradhan.
Sources said the accused Kusa Nag killed his uncle Trilochan and aunt Seema Nag with the help of a sharp weapon last night. Though the exact motive behind the double murder is still unclear, it is suspected that Kusa killed the duo over past land dispute.
“My father was playing cards when Kusa came and attacked him following an argument at around 10 pm yesterday. He also killed my mother when she rushed to save my father,” said Gomati, daughter of the deceased, Trilochan.
Gomati further informed that her family had a dispute with Kusa over a piece of land and a case in this connection was also registered. “We want stern action against the accused,” she added.
Meanwhile, Bongamunda police has detained the accused and efforts have begun for retrieving the bodies from the well.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
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The woman Damayanti Behera has been identified as a resident of Gobara village under Bikrampur police limits in Talcher. After her husband passed away in 2014, she was forced to live a life of penury. She has none else to look after her ailing son.
Damayanti alleged that she is being harassed by her brother-in-law over division of their property, citing which she has lodged multiple complaints with the Police and district administration. However, her long-standing complaints have fallen on deaf ears, she alleged.
When a hopeless Damayanti today attempted to immolate herself, she was overpowered and rescued by police personnel present at the spot.
"If there is no one to take a stand for me or extricate me from this situation, I will immolate myself - today or tomorrow. My son will also set himself afire. They illegally occupied our land in the backyard of our house, then demolished Anganabadi, and are now trying to kick us out of the house. Madam (official at the Collectorate) has assured that she will look into the problems. If there's a further delay, I will surely immolate myself," said Damayanti Behera, the complainant while being taken into custody.
Dodging the queries, Angul IIC Ramesh Chandra Bisoyi only said that the woman had come to express her grievances with regard to a land dispute case.
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