MANOJ KUMAR JENA, OP
Bhubaneswar: Tension flared again in the Balianta area after a 45-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths in Suddhasa Rangi village under the jurisdiction of Balianta police station.
Following the incident, villagers gheraoed the police station Wednesday, demanding action against those accused of the assault.
The incident comes days after the sensational killing of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in mob violence within the Balianta police station area.
According to villagers, the victim, Lakshmidhar Swain, 45, alias Tukuna, is undergoing treatment at SUM Hospital and is in a coma.
Police said the incident took place Sunday when Lakshmidhar objected to a group of local youths holding a feast at the village club house.
Despite his refusal, the youths allegedly tried to forcibly break open the door of the club house.
An argument subsequently broke out between Lakshmidhar and the youths, which escalated when around five of them allegedly assaulted him.
Lakshmidhar sustained critical head injuries in the assault, following which the youths allegedly fled the spot. The victim’s family later lodged a complaint at Balianta police station.
During the preliminary investigation, police detained two suspects for questioning.
Meanwhile, enraged over the incident and demanding stringent action against the accused, villagers along with members of the victim’s family staged a protest in front of Balianta police station.
“We want the accused to be arrested at the earliest. How come no arrests have been made yet?” said a protesting villager.
Police personnel, along with the Zone IV ACP, intervened and pacified the protesters, assuring them of stringent action against those involved.
“We have identified two prime suspects in the attack. However, they are currently absconding.
A manhunt is underway to nab them,” said a Balianta police official, requesting anonymity.
