Bolangir/Deogaon: Eight persons were arrested after a failed attempt to murder a groom and his associates during a wedding procession in Deogaon area of Bolangir district Sunday night.
The attack believed to be orchestrated over a land dispute, was allegedly carried out by contract killers hired for Rs 2,000.
The incident occurred when the procession, travelling from Gaibahal village to Babijor village, neared the bride’s home. Chaos ensued, and one of the attackers dropped an iron hammer, allowing villagers to capture him. Upon questioning, the suspect confessed to a plot to kill groom Rajkumar Padhan and his associate, Santosh Padhan.
Police seized two mobile phones, two motorcycles, a country-made pistol, knives, iron rods, and other weapons. Authorities arrested eight of the ten attackers, with two prime suspects still at large.
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The motive for the murder plot was reportedly tied to an agricultural land dispute. The mastermind, a resident of Mahalei village, allegedly planned the attack at a poultry farm in Katapali village. The accused has family ties to Gaibahal, where Rajkumar and Santosh reportedly harassed his in-laws over land issues.
A case has been registered, and police are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
PNN
