Post News Network
Sambalpur, March 14: Tension flared up after a youth, who worked as a sweeper in a cinema hall located just 50 metres from Town police, from Thelkopada here died under mysterious circumstances Saturday.
As the news of the death of Akhaya Chhura (34) spread, hundreds of locals, including women, from Thelkopada blocked the road between Laxmi Talkies and Golbazar Square Saturday forenoon alleging that he was murdered. The protesters demanded a high-level probe into the mysterious death of the youth and compensation to the bereaved family.
The strike by locals created law and order problem in the town with locals demanding arrest of the culprits. As the road blockade continued for a long period, movement of vehicles on that route was suspended.
On being informed, sub-divisional police officer Utkal Keshari Dash and Town police station IIC Pradip Kumar Sahu rushed to the spot and held discussions to pacify the irate protesters. A scuffle broke out between police
personnel and protesters as they tried to take law into their own hands.
The protesters even hurled tyres at the SDPO during the scuffle. The protesters, however, called off their strike at around 1 pm after police assured them of necessary action. However, trouble started again when some people gheraoed the police inside Laxmi Talkies where Chhura was found dead and did not allow them to take away the body from the spot. Police had a tough time controlling the mob as they created law and order situation for over six hours. The protesters, however, relented late in the afternoon after cops promised to look into all of their demands. After the protest was called off, Town police sent the body to VSS Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem.
A case of unnatural death was
registered at Town police station. Police said they have started an investigation into the matter. Sources said Chhura, who had been working as sweeper in the cinema hall for last seven-eight years, reported for work Saturday morning. However, Chhura’s family members received the news of his death at around 10.30 am, sources added.
Subsequently, they rushed to the spot and found the body, with a rope tied around his neck, lying in a corner of the cinema hall. Claiming that he had no issue with anybody as he was a simple and innocent guy, his family members lodged a complaint of murder with
Town police station.
On receiving the complaint, police said the exact reason behind his death would be known after post-mortem. Local civic body officials sealed the
cinema hall.