Trutiyapada, India – A deadly altercation in the village of Trutiyapada has left one man dead and his son critically injured, igniting tensions within this tight-knit community. The incident, which took place under the jurisdiction of the Bolagarh police station in Khurda district, reportedly stemmed from an argument laced with caste-related slurs.
On Sunday, villagers were horrified when a dispute between Pratap Kumar Sethi, 47, and another local, Siddhant Behera, took a violent turn. According to police, the confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in Behera and one other individual allegedly assaulting Sethi and his 25-year-old son, Rasananda, with a deadly weapon.
The altercation proved fatal for Pratap Kumar Sethi, who succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted to the Bolagarh Community Health Centre. His son Rasananda was severely wounded and continues to receive treatment at a nearby medical facility, struggling for his life.
Senior Officer Snigdhamayee Baral of the Bolagarh Police Station confirmed that the deadly encounter was triggered by a heated exchange over caste differences. “The suspects targeted Pratap and his son with a lethal weapon, which led to this tragic outcome. We are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Baral stated.
Following the attack, the police acted swiftly, registering a case and commencing an in-depth investigation, guided by a complaint from Pratap’s wife, Beenapani Sethi. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nihar Ranjan Pradhan has taken a personal interest in the case, making multiple visits to the scene and closely monitoring the investigative process.
In the aftermath of the violence, police have conducted several interrogations, including detaining members of Siddhant Behera’s family. The search continues for Behera and his associate, who fled following the assault.
The tragedy has left the village community reeling, as residents mourn the loss of one of their own and grapple with the heightened caste tensions that the incident has brought to the forefront. Local authorities and community leaders have been working to calm the situation, assuring that justice will be served and calling for peace and unity among the villagers.
The events in Trutiyapada highlight the persistent issues of caste-based discrimination and violence that still plague many rural areas in India. Efforts to address these ingrained societal problems continue, but as this incident painfully illustrates, there is still a long road ahead.
The Bolagarh police have assured the public and the grieving family that all possible measures are being taken to capture the accused and prevent any further violence. The investigation is still ongoing, with updates expected as new information becomes available.