2 youths with criminal antecedents murdered, set on fire in Odisha’s Ganjam
By Prakash Panigrahi
Bhubaneswar, June 29: Two youths were brutally killed and their bodies were set on fire over previous enmity between two groups at Mahuda village in Odisha’s Ganjam district late Wednesday night.
The shocking incident spread shockwaves in the area with terrified locals fleeing the village. The village wore a deserted look as locals sought shelter in their relatives’ houses. A pall of gloom and fear has descended on the village following the heinous crime. The deceased duo was identified as Siba Gouda and Litu Gouda, two best friends. The matter came to the fore after their charred bodies were recovered from the bushes near the village.
On being alerted, local police rushed to the village and launched a manhunt to nab the accused. The bodies have been recovered and sent for autopsy, reports said.
A preliminary probe revealed the two friends were in the tractor business. They had gone to collect their borrowed money. However, sources said the two youths broke out in a fight with a few villagers following which they were beaten to death.
The miscreants set their motorbike on fire. Berhampur superintendent of police (SP) Saravana Vivek M along with a scientific team arrived at the village and launched a probe into the incident.
“They were at home at around 10 pm on Wednesday. However, they went out to collect some money from some of their customers. Their mobile phones were on till 11 pm. However, later their phones were switched off. We thought they might have gone for some work and would return. So, we waited for them until 2 pm. We were worried when they did not arrive till 2 am and then searched for them,” recalled a relative.
Commenting on the incident, Berhampur SP said, “We received information that two bodies were set on fire at around 1 am last night. Soon, our officers reached the spot with his team and doused the flames. Now, the relatives have identified the bodies and a scientific team has also been deployed.”
“We have detained 15 suspects of the village until further probe. Interrogation is on and the accused will be taken into task very soon,” he added.
“There were a couple of criminal cases pending against the two deceased in Digaphandi police station. Locals are claiming that they were anti-socials,” the SP added.
