Kendujhar: A ward member died after being allegedly assaulted by one of his friends following a drunken brawl in Odisha’s Kendujhar district.
The deceased has been identified as Manoj Kumar Nayak, popularly known as Nalu, ward member of Ward No. 3 under Revanapalaspal Gram Panchayat in Harichandanpur block in the district.
According to information, the incident occurred in Revanapalaspal Gram Panchayat area on Saturday night.
Sources said Manoj was drinking with friends when a heated argument broke out. During the altercation, one of the men allegedly kicked him in the chest, leaving him critically injured. Manoj was rushed to the Revanapalaspal Community Health Centre (CHC) and later shifted to Harichandanpur CHC, but doctors declared him dead before treatment could begin.
Following the incident, Manoj’s family lodged a complaint at Daitari police station, alleging he was beaten to death. Police seized the body and sent it for post-mortem at Anandapur Sub-Divisional Hospital.
A senior police officer said a murder case has been registered and investigation is underway. The incident has triggered shock and tension in the locality, with police probing the role of Manoj’s friends in the assault.