Sundaragada: Police arrested 10 people Friday and sent two juveniles to a correctional home following the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man at Darlipali village under Bhasma police limits in Sundaragada district Thursday evening.
The killing, allegedly linked to a dispute over illegal levies on fly ash transporters, triggered tension and arson in the area. The victim, Sunil Neti, alias Silu, was shot at around 7 pm when some members of the United Fly Ash Truck Owners Association (UFTOA) allegedly stormed the office premises of the rival Raij organisation. He was taken to Sundaragada Government Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The dispute reportedly centred on an alleged levy of Rs 200 from each truck transporting fly ash, which had been opposed by the rival group and other transport operators. The killing triggered tension in the area, with an angry mob setting fire to a car belonging to a member of the alleged assailant group and vandalising the UFTOA office.
Protesters demanding the arrest of the accused and closure of the office also set the premises on fire Friday. Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur said a murder case under the Arms Act had been registered on the basis of a complaint by the victim’s brother.