Umerkote: Tension flared in Umerkote town of Nabarangpur district after a brutal clash linked to students’ union elections left a 42‑year‑old man critically injured.
The victim, Deep Kamal Mohapatra, sustained multiple stab wounds to his chest and abdomen during Saturday’s violence between two non‑student groups allegedly backed by the ruling BJP and opposition BJD. He was first admitted to Umerkote hospital and later shifted to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, for advanced treatment.
Two others, Abdul (27) and Abhisek Panda (25), also suffered injuries, while a motorcycle was set ablaze. Police detained three persons, including Abdul, and launched a manhunt for two more accused.
According to reports, tensions had been simmering since the nomination process began at Pendrani College in Umerkote. The situation escalated during scrutiny of papers when outsiders allegedly entered the campus, triggering the violent confrontation.
As news spread, BJP supporters blocked the Umerkote–Nabarangpur highway and enforced a bandh, paralysing traffic and forcing shops to shut.
The district administration deployed four platoons of police to restore order.
Despite heavy deployment, unrest persisted. Senior officials including SP Nabarangpur Kashyap Parth Jagdish, Additional SP Aditya Sen, and Sub‑Collector Prakash Chandra Mishra reached the protest site to pacify the agitators.
The SP confirmed three arrests and assured: “All those involved in the violence will be arrested.”
