Bhubaneswar, January 16: Balasore Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the lynching of a man suspected of cattle smuggling in Balasore district. Authorities have also initiated a manhunt to apprehend other suspects involved in the incident, an official confirmed on Friday.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has sparked intense political reactions, with opposition leaders accusing the state BJP government of fostering an environment of "religious intolerance." According to Balasore Sadar sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Subhranshu Sekhar Nayak, the initial complaint filed related to a road accident, but further investigation revealed the lynching motive behind the attack.