JAGATSINGHPUR: A 45-year-old man was brutally hacked to death by five persons, believed to be his friends, in Mangrajpur village within Kujang police limits here on Thursday night.
The deceased was identified as Ramakant Behera (45), a cook by profession. He was reportedly murdered due to a dispute over money for alcohol.
Sources said Behera’s nephew was in a love relationship with a girl from Jena Sahi village. Despite opposition from her family, the duo later got married. This sparked a long-standing feud between the families of Behera and the girl. In an alleged attempt to settle scores, a few youths from Jena Sahi befriended Behera and used to invite him to consume alcohol with them frequently. Unaware of their intentions, Behera often joined them in drinking sessions.
At around 9.30 pm on Thursday night, the accused asked Behera for money to buy liquor. When he refused, a heated argument broke out between them. Following the quarrel, Behera returned home to rest.
Later, the accused called him multiple times over phone, luring him out to the village road where they were waiting. As soon as he arrived, they assaulted him with sharp weapons. Behera tried to flee but was chased and stabbed at least 12 times near the local Hanuman temple. ?
One of the assailants allegedly informed Behera’s family over phone that he had fallen unconscious after a dog bite. On reaching the spot, the worried family members found him lying in a pool of blood and immediately shifted him to Kujang community health centre where he succumbed to his injuries.
Behera’s wife Nilima said, “The accused sought money to buy liquor, and when my husband refused, they killed him with sharp weapons to take revenge.” An FIR was also lodged in Kujang police station in this connection.
Tirtol sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Chinmaya Rout said three suspects have been detained for questioning while two others are absconding. A forensic team has been deployed to ascertain the exact cause of death. The body has been seized and sent to Kujang hospital for postmortem. Further investigation is underway.