Bantala/Chhendipada: In a shocking incident, a man allegedly poisoned his two minor sons while pretending to take them to school in Angul district Friday afternoon. Both children are in critical condition and have been shifted to Cuttack for treatment. According to sources, Kalicharan Pradhan of Kumbharsahi in Tubey gram panchayat under Jarapada police limits had been suffering from mental health issues and was under treatment. He also ran a small grocery shop in the village and frequently quarreled with his wife. A heated altercation turned violent Thursday night.
The following morning, after another fight, his wife left the house. Kalicharan then took his elder son, a Class VIII student, and his younger son, a Class II student, on his motorbike under the pretext of dropping them at school.
Instead, he rode about 25 km away to the Nuakheta forest area, where he allegedly made them consume poison. Hearing the cries of the children, local youths from Nuakheta rushed to the spot and rescued them. The boys were first admitted to the Bantala community health centre, then shifted to Angul district headquarters hospital, and later referred to Cuttack as their condition deteriorated.
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Meanwhile, locals detained Kalicharan and informed Bantala police. When police arrived and tried to take him to the station, he reportedly created a ruckus, attempted to break the car door and glass, and even bit ASI Nilanchal Biswal.
He also attacked two other policemen before collapsing unconscious at the station. He was later admitted to the Bantala Community Health Centre. Following a written complaint lodged by his family, Jarapada police have launched an investigation. Dr Snigdha Sahu, who is treating Kalicharan, said the accused is stable but was found to be heavily intoxicated. “He may be suffering from a disturbed mental state,” she added.
