6 Critical In Violence During Zero-Night Celebrations In Odisha

Berhampur/Balangir: At least six persons were critically injured in separate incidents of violence during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Odisha’s Ganjam and Balangir districts.

In Ganjam, zero-night celebrations turned violent amid knife attack at Gandapalli ODRP Colony under the jurisdiction of Rambha police station in the district. At least four persons sustained critical injuries in the incident, sources said.

The attackers also reportedly opened fire in the air after stabbing some people of another group during the celebrations.

The injured persons were initially taken to Khallikote Community Health Centre (CHC). After preliminary treatment, they were shifted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after their condition deteriorated.

While preliminary investigation indicated that the violence was suspected to have triggered by a triangular love, further probe is underway to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident.
In a similar incident in Balangir, two persons were seriously injured in a sword attack during celebrations in Tulsinagar area of the district. The incident took place following a heated argument with some people stabbing others with sharp weapons.

The injured, identied as Madhusudan Bagarti and Agnikumar Bisi, were rushed to Bhim Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Balangir, where they are undergoing treatment.

While the attackers fled the scene, police have launched an investigation and efforts are on to trace the accused. Police are trying to gather evidence and statements from eyewitnesses to track down the assailants.