Sambalpur: Ainthapali police Wednesday cracked the murder mystery of a tribal youth, Vishal Khadia (17) of Karamtuli who was brutally killed, and arrested three minors in this connection.
The incident took place at the foothills of Budhraja reserve forest near New Colony under Ainthapali police limits here.
Protesting the murder and demanding stringent action against the accused, locals of Karamtuli had picketed the police station, Tuesday. They also attempted to block NH-6 at Ainthapali Chowk but police rushed to the spot and prevented them from doing so.
Under pressure, SDPO Bhawani Shankar Udgata and IIC Chintamani Pradhan pacified the mob. The agitators relented after the police officials swung into action and arrested the three minors.
The officials also provided Rs 20,000 for the last rites of the boy as he was the sole breadwinner for the family.
According to SP Sanjeev Arora, Vishal and the three minor accused had had a fight during the Ganesh idol immersion earlier. As per plans, the three called Vishal on the pretext of smoking while he was going in a procession for Durga idol immersion.
Later, they took Vishal to the foothills of Budharaja reserve forest where they overpowered him and slit his throat with a blade. They also stabbed him there with a paper cutter and fled, leaving him profusely bleeding.
Though Vishal was rushed to VIMSAR, he was declared brought dead. The three boys were produced in a juvenile court and later rehabilitated to a boy’s shelter home, it was learnt.
PNN