BERHAMPUR: A betel leaf trader was allegedly murdered in cold blood at Panchama village under Golanthara police limits in Ganjam district on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as 58-year-old Ekadashi Nahak. Police sources said Nahak went to his betel leaf orchard in the morning but did not return home till evening. Worried family members searched for him and found him lying dead near his orchard at around 6 pm. There were multiple deep cuts on Nahak’s head, neck and other parts of his body.
Receiving information, Golanthara police reached the village for investigation. When the cops tried to seized the body for autopsy, villagers stopped them demanding a thorough and impartial inquiry into the betel leaf farmer’s murder. They alleged that the murder might be related to black magic.
Subsequently, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M along with a team of police reached the spot to take stock of the situation. A scientific team and sniffer dog also arrived at the crime scene for investigation. The situation was brought under control after the SP assured the irate villagers of proper investigation.
Golanthara IIC Tuna Sasmal said based on circumstantial evidence, police have registered a murder case. The body has been sent to the hospital for postmortem. The exact reason of death will be ascertained after the autopsy report arrives. Further investigation is underway, he added.