Odagaon: A mentally challenged man created a reign of terror at Odagaon market area under Nayagarh district in the wee hours of Thursday by killing two persons and injuring three others with lathis and pelting stones indiscriminately.
The deceased were identified as Badani Sulochana Pradhan,70, and Trilochan Sethy, 50, a night watchman.
The injured are identified as Amuli Barik, 40, from Nityanand Sahi village and the pregnant daughter, 42, of deceased Badani Pradhan.
Both were rushed to Nayagarh district headquarters hospital from where they were referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack. IIC Jyoti Prakash Panda has also been injured in stone pelting by the mentally deranged man.
According to the police, Niranjan Mallick alias Nanda, 37, is a resident of Kushadhipa under Sakeri panchayat. He has lost his mental balance and is wandering due to lack of attention.
An angry mob staged road blockades at various places in Ranganipatna and market area demanding compensation for the victims and next of kin of the deceased. They also demanded that the authorities make arrangements to rehabilitate mentally disturbed persons.
Traffic on state highway No. 21 and other roads leading to Bhanjanagar, Buguda, Bahadjhola and Nayagarh were badly affected due to the agitation.
Vehicles were stranded on either side of the road.
According to latest reports, the situation was under control and adequate number of police personnel has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident. The police have arrested Nanda, said the sources.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a compensation of `2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and free treatment to the injured persons.
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