Group clash erupts in Bhadrak; one critically injured

A clash allegedly erupted between two rival groups at Padmapur village under the Basudevpur block of Bhadrak district. A person was critically injured in the attack. As the village has been tense since Thursday night after the clash, police personnel have been deployed at the village.

Both sides have filed complaints at the police station, sources said.

As per reports, Ratikant Dalai, a resident of Sharatpur in Padmapur panchayat, was earlier with the Biju Janata Dal(BJD) but had contested as an independent for the post of sarpanch in the 2022 panchayat elections. 

Late on Thursday night, he was on his way back home after shutting his shop when a group of people attacked him with sharp weapons and iron rods. He was critically injured. Ratikant was immediately rushed to the district headquarters hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack.

Later, the family of Ratikant lodged a complaint against 10 persons of the rival group.    

Ratikant’s mother Sabitri Dalai, said,” My son and I were returning from Padmapur at 9.30 pm on Thursday. A group of people first attacked my son with iron rods and then with sharp weapons. At that time, I fainted at the place. Later, our people rushed to the place and rescued my son with his hands and legs broken.”     

On the other hand, Sujit Das a member of the rival group has also filed a complaint against 12 people including Ratikant.

Sujit said, “I was returning home from the local bazaar at 8.30 pm when some people accosted me on the way and then tried to strangulate me. At that time, other people came to the place and I managed to escape.” But, Sujit did not specify the reason behind the attack on him. 

However, no comments have been received from the police.