Youth stabbed 16 times for not giving a betel in Odisha’s Kendrapara, dies

Kendrapara: In a bizarre incident today, a youth was allegedly stabbed 16 times by another youth as the former did not give betel (Pan) when he was asked for it by the latter at Balarampur locality under Town police limits in Kendrapara district. The victim later succumbed while undergoing treatment.

The deceased was identified as Akshaya Kumar Khatua (35), who belonged to Saranga village of Ostapur panchayat under Sadar police limits in the district. Akshaya was an air conditioner mechanic.

The accused was identified as Aditya Prasad Behera, son of Adikanda Behera from Chandia Palei village of Kansar panchayat.

According to a source, Akshaya had just returned from his workplace and was preparing a few betels for his consumption at a betel shop on the roadside near a Hanuman temple in the locality when he was attacked. Akshaya refused to give betel to Aditya as the former did not know the accused.

An altercation erupted between the two over the petty matter. However, things took an ugly turn when, in a fit of rage, Aditya allegedly attacked Akshaya with a knife and stabbed him to death.

Some locals rescued Akshaya from a pool of blood and rushed him to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Kendrapara town for treatment in critical condition. Akshaya died in the health facility.

On being informed by locals, a team of Town police reached the spot and took Aditya to the PS for interrogation. Police have registered a case in this connection and initiated a probe.