Khurda, India – A fatal assault rocked the small village of Trutiyapada, resulting in the death of 47-year-old Pratap Kumar Sethi and severe injuries to his son, Rasananda Sethi, aged 25. The violent encounter, stemming from a dispute reportedly fueled by caste-related remarks, has gripped the local community with shock and highlighted ongoing social tensions.
The altercation began with a heated exchange between Pratap Kumar Sethi and Siddhant Behera, a fellow villager. The situation escalated rapidly when Behera, assisted by an unnamed accomplice, allegedly used a deadly weapon to attack both Sethi and his son. The elder Sethi succumbed to his injuries shortly after the attack at the Bolagarh Community Health Centre, while his son was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Local authorities, led by Inspector Snigdhamayee Baral of the Bolagarh police station, have launched a thorough investigation into the incident. “The attack appears to have been provoked by a verbal altercation that included caste-based insults,” Baral stated, detailing the nature of the conflict that led to the tragic event.
In response to the attack, Pratap Sethi’s wife, Beenapani Sethi, filed a formal complaint, which prompted the police to register the case and begin probing the circumstances around the assault. The police have conducted a post-mortem examination on Pratap Sethi’s body and are currently working to gather more evidence.
Efforts to apprehend Siddhant Behera and his associate are ongoing, with police deploying additional resources to ensure the culprits are captured swiftly. “We have detained members of the accused’s family for questioning and are conducting raids to locate Mr. Behera and his accomplice,” explained Nihar Ranjan Pradhan, a Sub-Divisional Police Officer overseeing the case.
The incident has deeply affected the residents of Trutiyapada, a village where such acts of violence are rare, bringing to the forefront issues of caste discrimination that linger within the community. Authorities have stepped up their presence in the village to prevent any further disturbances and to reassure the public of their commitment to justice.
As the investigation continues, local officials have urged calm and have called for cooperation from the villagers. The focus remains on providing support to the injured Rasananda Sethi and ensuring such a tragedy does not repeat. The case highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and reform in addressing caste-based tensions that can escalate into violence.
The Bolagarh police have assured the community and the Sethi family that they are taking all necessary measures to address the root causes of the altercation and to bring those responsible to justice. The local administration has also been involved, monitoring the situation closely to aid in the healing of the community shaken by this tragic event. As the village mourns, there is a collective call from both residents and authorities for peace and resolution.