Bhubaneswar: An elderly man was killed in a clash between two groups during Ganesh idol immersion ceremony in Karadapalli village under Fategarh police station in Nayagarh district on Sunday night.
The deceased, identified as 62-year-old Harihar Swain, was a resident of the area.
According to reports, the clash erupted when a group of youths from Pathapur village, who were celebrating Ganesh Visarjan with a DJ, encountered another group in Karadapalli village under Fategarh police station. The situation escalated into a scuffle, and Harihar Swain, who attempted to intervene and pacify the situation, fell to the ground after being attacked during the altercation.
Swain was rushed to Bhapur Community Health Centre, where he was declared dead.
The police have taken custody of the DJ vehicle and driver, and a search operation is underway to apprehend the other accused.
The villagers, meanwhile, staged a protest by blocking the road with Swain’s body demanding the arrest of all accused.
The blockade was lifted after the SDPO assured the villagers of action against the perpetrators. To maintain law and order, police personnel have been deployed in both villages.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
