Bhubaneswar: A gruesome murder occurred in Puri city late last night. Narasingh Behera, secretary of the Masanichandi management committee, was killed while sleeping in his house at Masanichandi Sahi under Baseli Sahi police station.
According to the police, the murder was committed by a minor accused and his accomplices over a dispute regarding green coconut theft from the Masani Chandi temple premises.
The accused had previously quarrelled with Behera after he was caught stealing coconuts. The police have taken the main accused, a minor, into custody and an investigation is underway.
“Behera was the secretary of the Masanichandi management committee. Green coconuts had been stolen from the Masani Chandi temple campus, and Behera had recently caught one of the thieves red-handed. The accused’s son had quarrelled with Behera and his family members the previous day. Later that night, he returned with associates, armed, and entered Behera’s house by jumping over the boundary wall. Due to the high humidity, Behera was sleeping on his veranda, which the accused took advantage of. The accused then poured chilli powder in Behera’s eyes and attacked him with a weapon”, said Puri DSP Prasant Sahoo
He added that multiple persons are involved in the crime, and a case has been registered based on the victim’s family complaint.
