Bhubaneswar: Ten persons, including an alleged member associated with the notorious D-Brothers gang from Cuttack, have been arrested in connection with a firing incident involving rival builders’ firms over a real estate dispute near Trishulia at Chandaka, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, on Sunday afternoon.
According to sources, miscreants allegedly opened fire and terrorised workers at a builder’s construction site at around 2 pm, causing panic among locals. Traffic was disrupted for several hours, and businesses in the vicinity temporarily shut down as a precaution.
Baranga Police led by IIC Debendra Kumar Biswal responded promptly to the incident and managed to apprehend 7 individuals, including local youths and a member associated with the D Brothers, a criminal group based in Cuttack known for its violent activities. The arrests were made on charges of unlawful assembly, possession of firearms and disturbing public order.
Initial investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from road access issues at Kunheipada Mauza between the 2 builders’ firms. One faction reportedly tried to restrict the other’s use of a key road in Kuhneipada, leading to tensions. While the land in front of the road belongs to Trilochan Pradhan of Gopalpur village, the rear portion is owned by a builder from Cuttack’s CDA area. Previously, both parties mutually agreed to build a road for access. However, the rear landowner allegedly revoked the consent recently, claimed ownership of the road, and asked Pradhan to vacate. Threats were issued to Pradhan over the past two days, who on sought sought police protection from Baranga station. On Sunday, the accused arrived with a JCB, began digging up the road, and threatened Pradhan’s employees. After being alerted by the employees, Pradhan filed a written complaint with CCTV footage.
The arrested accused have been identified as D-Brothers gang member Bharat Behera alias Litua (36), Rakesh Behera (26), Dillip Kumar Sasmala (26), Om Sasmala (23) and Ayush Mahanti (22), all from Bidanasi, Sur alias Suresh Singh (32) and Santosh Sasmala (40) of Trishulia, Pupun Behera (22) of Niali, Satyaban Samal (22) of Brahmanjharilo, Siddhant Omprakash (22) of Patrapada, Kalinga Vihar. They are being interrogated to determine the extent of the gang’s involvement and whether more people were part of the conspiracy.
The involvement of the D-Brothers gang has heightened concerns about the deepening ties between organised crime and real estate conflicts in Odisha, the sources added.
