Brahmapur: A youth was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of five persons following a dispute during a village festival at Yogiapalli under Nimakhandi police station limits in Ganjam district, while his father sustained critical injuries in the attack, police said on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Santosh Patra, alias Santu. His father, B. Tammey, was seriously injured while attempting to intervene and has been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur.
According to reports, the incident stemmed from a heated exchange between Santu and some youths during the Thakurani Yatra celebrations in the village on Saturday. The disagreement reportedly arose after some youths insisted on dancing on the stage, which Santu opposed.
The dispute allegedly escalated on Sunday morning when five youths attacked Santu with sharp weapons on a village road, repeatedly stabbing him. When his father tried to intervene, the assailants attacked him as well. Santu died at the spot, while the attackers fled immediately after the incident.
Police have registered a case against five accused persons and suspect previous enmity to be the motive behind the murder.
Brahmapur Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Jena said efforts were underway to apprehend the accused and they would be arrested soon.
