Balangir: A joyous wedding celebration in Babijor village under Deogaon police limits in Balangir district took a terrifying turn on Sunday evening when a suspected contract killing attempt on the groom was foiled by alert villagers.
While police have arrested seven persons in this connection, the incident has left the villagers in shock and raised questions about the motive behind the brazen attack.
According to reports, the groom, Rajkumar Pradhan from Gaibahal village, had arrived in Babijor with his wedding procession (baraat) for the ceremony. As the festivities were underway, a group of approximately ten intoxicated armed men allegedly all of a sudden attacked the groom.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, armed with weapons including a country-made gun, attempted to harm the groom in what appeared to be a premeditated murder plot.
Villagers, however, intervened and managed to overpower seven of the attackers. The assailants were subsequently handed over to the police, who recovered multiple weapons, including a country-made pistol, from their possession. The remaining suspects fled the scene and are currently at large.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the attackers are from nearby villages. Police are working to uncover the mastermind behind the attack and the motive for the alleged contract killing attempt.
Despite the chaos, the wedding ceremony continued, and the bride and groom were bid farewell by the bride’s family later in the forenoon on Monday.
The incident, however, has left the village in a state of shock, with locals demanding stringent action against those involved.
