City

In Odisha’s Puri, Rivalry Among Servitors Triggers Another Murder; Love Affair Suspected

By
OB Bureau

Puri: Singhadwar police detained two more persons on Wednesday in connection with the murder of a servitor near the Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri last night. The main accused, also a servitor, was apprehended soon after the incident on Tuesday night. A country-made gun was seized from him.

The deceased, 21-year-old Sibaram Patra, a servitor at the Loknath Temple, was shot dead near the site of the Emar Mutt, close to the Jagannath Temple main gate, by servitor Chandan Barik around 9 pm.

Patra, who was riding a bike, was hit in the head and chest by two bullets, according to preliminary inquiry.

Hearing gunshots, people in the area, which is usually crowded, starting running in panic. Police and locals rushed Patra to the Puri district headquarters hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Patra was a resident of Talucha Sahi, a bylane of Harchandi Sahi.

Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh on Wednesday said all three accused have been detained. Personal enmity and family dispute could be the motive behind the killing, he said. According to preliminary investigation, Patra had once tried to kill Barik.

According to a report, which quoted Barik’s father, Patra was in a relationship with Barik’s sister. After this was discovered by both families four months ago, they were at loggerheads. Barik’s father alleged that Patra’s family also threatened them repeatedly over this. After Tuesday night’s murder, the entire family feared for their lives, he said.

This is the second time in recent months when a servitor was shot dead in Puri and highlights the involvement of servitors in crimes.

On March 16 this year, 44-year-old Krushna Pratihari, a servitor at the Jagannath Temple, was shot dead near the Lord Nrusinghanath Temple, not very far from the 12th century Jagannath Temple.

Pratihari was secretary of the Suara Mahasuara Nijog, a powerful committee of servitors of the Jagannath Temple. He had been acquitted by a trial court in January this year in a murder case of another servitor.

Pratihari was the prime accused in the 2012 murder case of servitor Taluchha Bhagaban Mohapatra.

In August 2007, Jagannath Temple servitor Ajaya Kumar Sarangi was shot dead over a property dispute. Seven people including servitor Madhab Khuntia, with dozens of cases against him, was arrested. In August 1996, servitor Damodar Mahasuara was almost killed in an attack by servitors, including Taluchha Mohapatra.

Three detained over stabbing

Hours after the servitor’s murder on Tuesday night, a man was stabbed by miscreants near Mausi Maa temple in Puri. The victim was identified as Surya Narayan Tripathy. His condition is stated to be critical. The Puri SP on Wednesday said three persons have been detained.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Newborn Girl Found Abandoned Near Bush In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Baripada: A newborn girl was found lying near a bush at Bhanra village under Karanjia…

November 8, 2024

Shah Rukh Khan Bagged ‘Baazigar’ After Salman Khan Rejected It

Mumbai: Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, the leading superstars of Bollywood, came from different…

November 8, 2024

Dhanush & Nithya Menen Starrer ‘Idli Kadai’ To Release On This Date

Mumbai: Actor-filmmaker Dhanush took to his X handle on Friday to announce the release date…

November 8, 2024

National Hockey: Another Big Win Takes Odisha Closer To Knockout Stage

Chennai: Odisha all but booked a berth in the knockout stage of the 14th Hockey…

November 8, 2024

Traffic Restrictions For Panchaka, Badaosa At Dhabaleswar Temple In Odisha’s Cuttack; Check Details

Cuttack: Several traffic restrictions have been imposed to ensure smooth movement of devotees to Dhabaleswar…

November 8, 2024

Late Sidhu Moose Wala’s Brother Is A Carbon Copy Of Him

Mumbai: Sidhu Moose Wala's parents Balkaur Singh and Charan Kaur shared a picture of their…

November 8, 2024

Unique Protest: No Dating, No Sex, No Babies With Men Who Voted For Donald Trump

New York: A group of American women has launched an unprecedented protest against men who…

November 8, 2024

4 More Handicrafts Granted Official Approval In Odisha; Total Number Now 55

Bhubaneswar: Four more handicrafts were granted approval by the Odisha government, taking the total number…

November 8, 2024