Balasore: Family members of a 45-year-old woman, who was allegedly killed in a brutal neighbourhood dispute in Odisha’s Balasore district, carried her body on a bicycle for nearly 15 km on Tuesday morning to Khaira police station to protest against the delay in apprehending the accused.
Kamala Sethy died and her sister-in-law suffered grievous injuries after being allegedly attacked by their neighbour with an axe at Haripur village under Khaira police limits here on Sunday.
The family members put the body on the bicycle once it was handed over to them after postmortem and marched towards the police station. They could be heard telling people all along the way how she was hacked to death in broad daylight. They even refused to use the ambulance which Khaira police arranged to transport the body, after receiving information about their protest. Later, they staged a demonstration near the police station by keeping the body on the road.
Family members alleged that the police have failed to take concrete action against the accused even after three days of the incident.
According to sources, the conflict erupted when centering work for roof construction was underway at Kamala’s house. and some construction materials – dry wood, bamboos and empty plastic bags – accidentally fell on the premises of her neighbour Manas Jena’s house. Manas got into a heated argument with Kamala and Shakuntala, who assured to remove the construction materials once the centering work is completed. However, Manas did not agree, and in fit of rage, Manas picked up an axe and allegedly attacked Kamala and Shakuntala.
The two women sustained critical injuries in the assault and were rushed to Khaira community health centre. They were then referred to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as their condition deteriorated. Kamala succumbed to her injuries during treatment on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Khaira police registered a case and arrested Bharati Jena for her alleged involvement in the attack. However, Manas along with his father Bharat Jena are absconding and are yet to be nabbed.
Balasore SP Pratyush Diwaker assured that the absconding accused will be arrested soon.
