Odisha: Death toll in Puri Ashram brawl rises to 2

Bhubaneswar: The death toll in a brawl at Gurukrupa Ashram in Odisha’s Puri city has risen to two.

Dayanidhi Das, a sadhu, who had sustained grievous injuries in the clash, died while being treated at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack today, sources said.

Arjun Baba, another sadhu, was killed in the brawl at Gurukrupa Ashram on July 28, sources added.

According to sources, Rabindra Jena (40) alias Bishnu Baba of Gurukrupa Ashram had attacked his fellow inmate Narugopal Mishra (58) alias Arjun Baba with a wooden plank over some issues on July 28.

Arjun Baba, a resident of Nandigram in West Bengal, died at the spot when Bishnu Baba hit the former’s head repeatedly with the wooden plank.

Bishnu Baba, originally known as Rabindra Jena, of Bhanjanagar area in Ganjam district also attacked Dayanidhi when the latter tried to protect Arjun Baba.

Dayanidhi had sustained severe head injuries in the attack and was rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital. He was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital when his condition deteriorated. Dayanidhi succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the premium healthcare institute today, sources said.

Baseli Sahi police had arrested accused Bishnu Baba soon after the incident.