Man dies after alleged assault over verbal spat in Odisha village

A minor altercation escalated into a fatal incident last night, leading to the death of a local businessman in Buduli village under Bhanjanagar police limits in Ganjam district, sources said on Monday. The deceased was identified as Panchanan Behera, aka Panchu.

Also Read: Man kills friend over dispute in Odisha’s Bolangir; detained

According to sources, on Sunday night, a group of youths got into an argument in front of Panchu’s shop. When his two sons asked the youths to leave the premises, the group allegedly attacked them. Panchu intervened, but only to be physically assaulted.

Police reportedly arrived at the scene and temporarily calmed the situation. However, later that night, Panchu began bleeding from his nose and ears and was rushed to the Bhanjanagar health centre. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Following a complaint, local police have detained five individuals in connection with the incident and are continuing their investigation. Authorities are examining whether the injuries sustained in the assault directly led to the death.

The incident has sparked tension in the village, with demands for strict action against the five accused persons.

No comments were received from local police or the deceased’s family in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident, a man was allegedly killed over an argument with his friend at Mudkani village under Turekela police limits in Bolangir on August 26.

The deceased had been identified as Kishore Parabhu, and the accused as Sridhar Sabar.

Kishore had gone to the village chhak, where he got involved in an argument with Sridhar. Following the verbal spat between the two, Sridhar allegedly attacked Kishore violently on the head, leading to his death.