Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Umerkote, Jul 21:

BJD's Umerkote block president Debi Singh Majhi was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the bloody group clash at Baunsabeda village under Umerkote block in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district in which two persons were killed, informed Umerkote police station IIC Birendra Kumar Senapati.

arrest Pic Courtesy: www.deccanchronicle.com

He was produced before the Umerkote Judicial Magistrate First Class court and sent to jail as his bail plea got rejected.

Notably, the Forest department had allowed the villagers to do farming activities on some patch of land. One Baliram Das of the village had forcibly acquired a portion of it and was doing cultivation on it. However, a section of the villagers was opposing Baliram’s activities as he had migrated to the village.

A village meeting was called on Saturday to sort out the issue. However, Baliram did not turn up after which Phagunu Bhatra and Gurubaru Bhatra were asked to call Baliram from his house. When the duo reached Baliram’s house, he attacked them with a sharp weapon killing Phagunu on the spot and grievously injuring Gurubaru.

When the news spread, the incensed villagers armed with traditional weapons reached the spot and lynched Baliram.

Acting on a complaint filed by Baliram's son and wife, police conducted investigation into the matter and came to know about involvement of Majhi in the incident.

Sources said, Majhi had incited the irate people on the day of the incident.