BHUBANESWAR: Kasi Biswanath Badu, servitor of Lingaraj temple, was murdered over a bitter fight with a rival group, police claimed here on Friday as it arrested three persons.
Previous grudge and clashes arising out of the disputes over “yatri seva” in the famous shrine could be a motive behind the murder, Commissioner of Police Bijay Kumar Sharma said on Friday. The three arrested are identified as Manoranjan Mahapatra (22), Akshaya Kumar Mahapatra (27) and Chandan Kumar Mahapatra (19). There has been long-standing dispute between Badu Sevak and Suar Sevak, two groups of servitors over devotee service. The two had clashed at least twice in the past one month. On July 28, Chandan who belongs to Suar Sevak, was assaulted by Kasi and his associates. A case was lodged by Durga Prasad Mahapatra of Suar Niyog while a counter FIR was filed by Bablu Makdam of Badu Niyog.
On August 7, the two groups fell out once again and two cases were lodged with Lingaraj police. Five persons from Suar Niyog and six from Badu Niyog were also arrested. Sharma said Chandan was mercilessly assaulted by Kasi and his associates on July 28 for which they had been nursing a grudge against the latter.
They were looking for an opportunity and finding him alone on August 8 night, Akshaya and Manoranjan took him along the Koti Teertha Lane where Kasi was fatally attacked with sharp weapons and even broken glass bottles. He sustained severe and multiple bleeding injuries and died on the spot. Police have recovered three blood-stained sharp weapons and clothes from the accused.
Police said Chandan is already charged in three different cases in the recent times while Manoranjan was booked in four. Similarly, three cases have been registered in the past against Akshaya.
However, the conflict over “yatri seva” is not a new phenomenon.
If sources are to be believed, it has a long history dating back to 1861 when the “demarcation” was made by the royal families. In 1921, one such murder had taken place over who will have the say. While a procedure was laid down then, a change has led to the conflict of interests.
Besides, “yatri seva” (allotment of devotees of a geographical area to a particular servitor group) has economic implications because it means bread and butter for them. A change in status quo has caused the acrimony.
