One person was killed and more than 10 others were injured in a group clash that ensued during a procession taken out as part of Holi celebration at Ramakrishnapur under Salepur police station on Tuesday night.
The deceased has been identified as Santanu Kumar Samal (33), an auto-rickshaw owner of Elmapur village.
According to sources, tension prevailed following a dispute between villagers of Malihata and Elmapur over procession of their Palanquins which later culminated in group clash.
While both the groups were attacking each other, Samal was incidentally going in his auto on the same route. As he requested the villagers to allow him to go, some angry villagers of Malihata assaulted him seriously. One of the assailants hit him on on his head and he fell unconscious.The incident took place even as the police force deployed at the place stood as mute spectators. Samal was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack where he succumbed to injuries on the same night.
Following the incident, all the male members of the village are absconding. The situation is under control and search is on to nab the culprits, said Biswajeet Mahanty, IIC, Salepur police station.