Bhubaneswar: Holi revelry turned violent in Odisha as at least five murders took place in different parts of the state on Saturday. Two of the murders were reported during the celebrations in state capital Bhubaneswar.
The capital city was rocked by violence during the Holi celebrations at two youths were allegedly stabbed to death in separate incidents in Saheed Nagar and Mancheswar areas.
Sources said a youth, identified as Gopi Guli, was stabbed to death at Shantipalli slum area in Saheed Nagar following an altercation with four others over some issue. The argument took an ugly turn and miscreants stabbed Guli to death. The deceased’s wife also sustained serious injuries in the attack and has been admitted to the hospital.
In another incident, a man was killed in the Sameigadia area under the jurisdiction of Mancheswar police station in the city. The deceased, identified as Anshuman Pati, was chased by some miscreants and stabbed to death on the road, sources said.
As incidents of violence were reported from several parts of the state, a youth was stabbed to death in Sahoo Colony of Sambalpur city during Holi celebrations. The deceased has been identified as Aditya Salma.
As per information, one Sahul Singh called Salma from his house to play Holi and stabbed him, leading to his death. Past enmity is suspected to be the reason behind the murder.
A senior police official said Salma sustained serious injuries after being stabbed. He was immediately rushed to the district headquarters hospital where he was declared brought dead. The accused has been arrested and the weapon used in the murder seized
In a similar incident in Ganjam district, a contractor was stabbed at Lanjipalli Chanakyanagar in Berhampur over past rivalry. He was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Similarly, a youth was brutally attacked and murdered at Nakhara Sahi in Angul. He was rushed to Angul District Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Preliminary inquiry suggests that the murder was a result of past enmity. The Town Police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits involved in the crime.