Balasore: Police Monday arrested five persons including the prime accused of the sensational murder case in which four members of a family were killed by miscreants in Paganai village under Sadar police limits Saturday.
Nine others involved in the killing are still at large, SP Niti Sekhar told media persons at a press meet.
Those who were arrested were prime accused Ramesh Majhi, son of late Loknath Majhi of Suelpur area, Chandan Jena, son of Rohini Jena of Gopal Gaon, Sudam Majhi, son of Jayant Majhi and Jayant Majhi (a), son of late Bhagabat Majhi of Kanchanibag area and Upendra Majhi, son of late Kunduru Majhi of Suelpur.
The 14 assailants first assembled at the prawn farm owned by Umesh Majhi in Gudupahi. Later, they came on five bikes to Paganai where they brutally killed Prativa Mandal (40), her daughter Suman (19), son Subali (17) and nephew Bibek Majhi (13), who had been residing with them for about a week, SP Sekhar informed.
Though the target of the killers was Prativa, fearing disclosure and subsequent arrest, they killed three others, the SP added.
Prativa’s husband Satyaranjan escaped the attack as he works in Chennai. Police had seized a dagger, a chopper, a lathi and a 9mm live bullet from the spot. The criminals not only killed the four but also beheaded Prativa and threw her head 200 metres from her house.
Giving more details on the incident, police said the miscreants killed the four to avenge the murder of Mahesh alias Kanhu, son of late Loknath Majhi in 2015. Prativa was reportedly helping the accused of that murder case in getting bail. Besides, a land related dispute may be another reason for this act, according to police.
Based on a complaint lodged by a relative of Anita Majhi, police registered a case and produced the accused in court.
However, it was alleged that police have not put the accused under the relevant sections of IPC while producing them in court.
Though Anita mentioned several names in her complaint, police said only 14 are involved in the case.
When contacted, Sadar SDPO said preliminary investigation suggests involvement of 14 persons while others are in the list of suspected persons. They would be arrested if they are found guilty after further investigation.
All other relevant sections would be applied once the probe is over, Sadar IIC Dayanidhi Dash said. PNN