Bhubaneswar, May 11:Dr. Satyajit Naik, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Cuttack, accompanied by S. Ssree, Superintendent of Police, Nayagarh, visited the murder site in Odagaon on Monday. During the visit, they reviewed the ongoing investigation and instructed authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of those involved in the crime.
Dr. Naik emphasized that strict action will be taken against individuals involved in criminal activities, including illegal stone quarrying in the area. Police personnel were directed to maintain law and order and assured that perpetrators would not be spared.
Multiple police teams have been formed to apprehend the remaining suspects. In addition, a special task force, coordinating with the District Mining Officer and other revenue officials, will focus on curbing illegal stone extraction and the transportation of unlawfully mined stones.
The incident occurred when a man, identified as Ajit Kumar Sahoo of Odagaon, was killed and allegedly had his right hand severed during a dispute related to illegal laterite stone mining. Police have so far arrested two suspects and are actively searching for others involved.
According to reports, Ajit and his friend, Santosh Kumar Pradhan, were standing by the roadside when six individuals arrived in a vehicle and attacked them with swords. Ajit sustained severe injuries and died at the scene, while the assailants fled immediately.
Preliminary investigations indicate that earlier, at around 12:50 a.m., Ajit and his friend had intercepted two trucks loaded with laterite stone at Kadalibandh, reportedly to extort money. The truck owner, alerted by his driver, arrived at the scene, followed by others in an SUV and a motorcycle, which led to heated arguments.
During the confrontation, one of the accused reportedly drew a sword from the SUV, while another forcibly restrained Ajit. As he fell, the attackers delivered repeated sword blows, causing fatal injuries and severing his right hand.
The incident sparked public outrage, with locals blocking the road and demanding stringent police action against both the attackers and illegal stone mining activities. A memorandum was submitted to local authorities in this regard.
Following the registration of a case at Odagaon Police Station, Ajit’s body was sent to Nayagarh Hospital for an autopsy.
