Bhubaneswar: A festive evening of Diwali celebration at Palasapalli in Odisha capital turned into a scene of chaos on Monday when a group of miscreants allegedly launched a violent assault and hurled crude bombs at a family, leaving four people injured.
The incident took place between 8-9 pm at Lane 13 in the area, under the jurisdiction of the Airfield police limits, while the family was outside setting off fireworks. The injured have been identified as Sridhar Maharana, Kanhai Maharana, Satyajit Rath, and Saudamini Maharana, with two currently reported to be in critical condition.
According to preliminary reports and victim accounts, the trouble began when three youths riding a scooter rammed into the spot where the family was celebrating. When the family attempted to calmly reason with them, the youths attacked them before leaving the scene. Shortly after, a larger group of around 12 youths hailing from the Kedarapalli and Kukuteswar areas and carrying swords and crude explosives arrived at the scene. The attackers barged into the house and assaulted the occupants before hurling bombs and fleeing the area.
Upon receiving distress calls, personnel from Airfield police station rushed to the crime scene to secure the area and immediately shifted the critically injured to Capital Hospital.
Recounting the terrifying ordeal, one of the injured family members detailed how a minor altercation spiralled into a coordinated assault: “They carried weapons and bombs. They didn’t just stop at bombing; they brutally attacked us. My mother rushed to shield us. We have no prior enmity or personal rivalry with anyone, we were just quietly celebrating Diwali. If I had died in this attack, who would have protected my family? I appeal to the government and police to apprehend the culprits immediately, and hand down the punishment they deserve so that such brazen lawlessness is stopped.”
However, preliminary police probes indicate the attack may have stemmed from previous enmity. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the site, and local CCTV footage are being scanned to identify and apprehend the suspects.