Diwali Turns Violent In Odisha: 2 Killed In Firing & Stabbing In Separate Episodes Of Brutality

Puri/Nayagarh: Diwali turned violent in Odisha on Monday when two killings were reported from distinct locations.

A second person was allegedly killed yesterday on Diwali night in the Nayagarh district, while one was purportedly murdered in Puri. In addition, one person was hurt.

In the first incident, two people were shooting fireworks near Bhargabi School in Thentapur village in Puri’s Chandanpur police jurisdiction when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them. One passed away instantly, but the other sustained critical injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Shankar Behera, while Nilu Behera, was named as the injured.

According to the police’s preliminary investigation, the crime was committed out of a previous grudge. After filing a report, the police started an investigation and manhunt to catch the criminals.

In the second incident, two parties got into a fight over setting off firecrackers in Madhyakhand village, under Dasapalla police jurisdiction in Nayagarh district. Things took a bloody turn when one gang used sharp weapons to attack the other, resulting in a fatality.

Bikash Behera, a seasoned criminal with over 15 charges pending against him at several police stations in Nayagarh and other districts, has been identified as the deceased.

Bikash and his friends were setting off fireworks when another group got into an argument with them about setting off fireworks. It quickly escalated into a fierce conflict. Later, the other team used a knife to attack Bikash. He was found covered in blood and sent to the Dasapalla Community Health Center (CHC) before being taken to the Nayagarh district headquarters hospital (DHH). But by that point, it was too late. He was declared dead upon arrival by the DHH medical staff, according to reports.

The event is being investigated by the police, who are also looking for the offenders.