Post News Network
Sambalpur, Oct 7: Tension ran high Tuesday after locals ransacked a dhaba at Katapali village on Sambalpur-Bargarh National Highway and blocked it for nine hours following lynching of a 24-year old student by the dhaba owner and his henchmen over payment of the food bill the previous night.
The victim was identified as Naresh Mahananda (24), alias Nihar, of Ghunghutipada at Kamli Bazaar in the town. Naresh was having dinner with his friends to celebrate an event when dispute arose over payment of the food bill. The dhaba owner and his supporters chased and beat him to death.
Irate locals burnt two bikes parked outside the dhaba following which Burla police rushed to the spot and tried to placate the mob. The agitators, however, refused to listen to police following which police had to lathicharge the protestors leaving many injured.
The agitators demanded arrest of the accused and Rs 10 lakh compensation for the bereaved family. Traffic came to a complete halt with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the NH. Commuters had a harrowing time as many were seen getting down from vehicles and crossing the highway on foot.
They relented after SP Akhileshwar Singh rushed to the spot along with sub-collector Bimalendu Ray and ASP Sushil Kumar who assured protesters to arrest the accused within three days.