Former Block Chairman hacked to death over ‘political enmity’, Four arrested

Keonjhar: Panic gripped Anandapur area of the district after former block chairman and ex-MLA candidate from Ghasipura assembly constituency, Ram Chandra Behera was found hacked on Monday night. According to police, Behera was attacked with sharp weapons by some miscreants late last night following which he succumbed to injuries.

While police claimed that the incident could be a fall out of political enmity, four persons were arrested in connection with the case this morning.

Sources said a few miscreants called Behera from his residence at Dhakotha for a discussion to compromise some case. However, they allegedly attacked him murderously and fled the scene.

As Behera screamed, his family members and other locals rushed to the spot and rescued him. Though initially he was admitted to Anandapur hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, added sources.

Soon after the incident, the locals staged a demonstration and blocked NH-20 roads demanding stern action against the accused. Adequate police staff have been deployed at the spot to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

“We have sent the body for post-mortem. A five-member team including three IICs, two DSPs, and an Additional SP is monitoring the case. Stringent action will be taken against all the accused irrespective of whichever party they belong to,” said Anandpur SDPO, Bidyut Panda.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA candidate from Ghasipura Prithviraj Kuanr demanded a CBI investigation and verification of call records of Behera alleging involvement of local MLA and Minister’s family in the murder. He further claimed that Behera was an aspiring MLA candidate of the BJD.

Refuting the allegations, Minister Badri Patra said "The Opposition knows they don't have any chance in the elections, which is why they are leveling such baseless allegations. Why would my family get involved in this murder when we wanted him (Behera) to join our party. And today there was Mishrana Parba.”