Bhubaneswar: Tension gripped the Ghatikia area under Bharatpur police limits in the state capital during the festive season after a clash centred on a Facebook Live video escalated into violence. The clash left five persons seriously injured.
According to information, a youth went live on Facebook the previous day and allegedly made caste-related remarks while speaking about a case. The video went viral. Angered by the content, members of the other side reached Ghatikia where a large number of youths had gathered for the immersion ceremony.
Subsequently, an argument between the two groups over the Facebook Live first broke out and then turned into a full-blown clash and physical assault near the pandal. Some outsiders who arrived at the spot allegedly fired two rounds of blank shots and launched a murderous attack on several youths. Five people sustained serious injuries and were admitted for treatment at a nearby private medical facility.
Police have launched an investigation, seized CCTV footage from the spot, and are conducting a manhunt to identify and arrest the accused.
