Odisha’s Tarabha village on boil after killing of BJP worker; Sec 144 clamped

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Dhenkanal, Feb 5:

Prohibitory orders were clamped in Tarabha area in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district today after mob set the house of the prime accused afire in protest against the killing of a BJP supporter yesterday.

According to reports, locals set ablaze the house of arrested OSAP jawan Byomkesh Biswal, tractor, motorcycles and heaps of paddy crops stashed in the backyard.

The mob also set some shops afire in protest against the killing of Salman Rout of the village, who worked as a cab driver in Bhubaneswar.

“They have been intimidating since last ten years. It has crossed limits,”said Anshuman Nayak, the uncle of deceased.

Since the news of Salman Rout’s death spread, tension ran high in the area. The enraged people also set some shops on fire.

“They beat us and drove me, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law out of the house. They ransacked the house and set the belongings on fire after pouring petrol,” said Suprabha Biswal, a relative of the accused.

In view of the palpable tension, prohibitory orders have been enforced in the area to maintain law and order and prevent further flare-up.

“We have arrested Byomkesh Biswal after examining various technical aspects. He was being constantly interrogated,” Dhenkanal SP Basant Kumar Panigrahi said.

Two groups clashed in the village over putting up of posters for the upcoming three-tier panchayat polls in the state. It was alleged that Byomkesh pumped bullets into Salman’s chest from point-blank range.

A profusely bleeding Salman was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital yesterday night. However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Notably, the accused is an OSAP jawan posted in Keonjhar.