Balasore: Tension gripped Odisha’s Balasore district as locals blocked National Highway-16 (NH-16) for nearly four hours, burning tyres, on Wednesday night after a 24-year-old man was allegedly hacked to death over previous enmity.
The blockade caused significant traffic disruption.
According to sources, The victim, Ranjit Mallick, a resident of Junabalada village, was attacked by four assailants armed with sharp weapons. the incident occurred near Junabalada Chhak under Basta police limits. He suffered severe injuries to his neck, chest, and other parts of the body. Local residents nabbed one of the suspects and rushed the critically injured youth to Remuna hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The crowd grew agitated when police took the accused into custody and demanded he be handed over to them. Protesters then blocked the highway at Junabalada Chhak by setting tyres ablaze, bringing traffic to a standstill in both directions and stranding hundreds of vehicles.
Five platoons of police force were delayed at the spot to maintain order as Balasore SP along with Remuna SDPO engaged in prolonged negotiations with the protesters before finally clearing the road and restoring normal traffic movement after 11 pm.
According to police, the murder stemmed from a dispute linked to a mobile phone theft case reported about two months ago. Both parties had previously reached a written settlement at the local panchayat level, agreeing not to pursue further allegations. However, the truce broke down on Wednesday evening when a verbal argument escalated into a violent clash.
While three individuals have been detained in connection with the murder, the prime accused, identified as Aniket Patra, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
