Youth murdered over theft suspicion in Dhenkanal, another critical

The instances of people taking the law into hands have now emerged as a major concern for the enforcing agencies. In one such incident, a youth was murdered while another sustained critical injuries after they were allegedly assaulted over theft suspicion at Dengaborei village under Sadar police limits in Dhenkanal district.

The deceased has been identified as Akshay Panda while the injured Lipu is undergoing treatment at the hospital. Police have detained two suspects and further investigation in connection with the case is underway.

As per reports, there was a heft of some equipment from the farm of one Hemant Rout recently. A village meeting was organised after the involvement of the deceased Hemant and injured was suspected.

It is alleged that Hemant along with some of his associates took the duo to an isolated place and thrashed them. "My husband was sleeping when a group of villagers came to our house and asked him to come out. Later, two youths, who had alleged theft, they took my husband in a car and forced him to confess to committing theft. The youths later killed my husband,” alleged deceased Akshaya’s wife.

Bibhuti Sahu, Dhenkanal DSP said, “A case has been registered and appropriate action will be taken. We are interrogating some persons on suspicion.”

According to Sahu, only after a detailed investigation, the exact motive of the murder can be ascertained.

“As the case has also been registered under the Atrocities Act, we are trying to provide immediate relief to the family of the deceased,” Sahu added.