Nabarangpur: A court in Nabarangpur district’s Umarkote on Saturday sentenced 19 accused persons to life imprisonment for their involvement in the Baunshbeda triple murder and arson case, dating back to 2016.
In a significant verdict, Additional District & Sessions Judge Sunita Pattnaik pronounced the quantum of punishment in connection with two cases registered at Umarkote police station.
A former block president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is among the 19 convicted.
Way back on July 16, 2016, the violence in Baunshbeda village, under Umarkote block, was triggered by a land dispute.
Local tribals objected to the crops cultivation by Balaram Harijan on a piece of government land in Telgaon. They reportedly planted saplings on the land with the help of Forest Department officials. Balaram allegedly uprooted the saplings, leading to tension.
A group of tribal residents went to Balaram’s house to confront him. Balaram allegedly attacked Gurubaru Bhatra with a knife, while another accused, Ganapati Harijan, allegedly slit Fagunu Bhatra’s throat, leading to his death on the spot.
The critically-injured Gurubaru later died at a hospital after giving a dying declaration.
Hundreds of villagers then surrounded Balaram’s house. The mob allegedly pelted stones and set the house on fire.
Balaram tried to flee by jumping from the roof, but was caught by the crowd and beaten to death.
Two separate police cases were registered in connection with the killings and subsequent mob violence.
Following a prolonged trial, the court pronounced 19 persons guilty and sentenced them to life terms.
