Sambalpur: Two brothers were killed in a group clash over alleged eve-teasing at Bhandarimal village under Jujumura police limits in this district Monday evening. Two other siblings of the deceased also sustained severe injuries in the clashes.
Police have identified the deceased as Shakti Bhushan Kumura, 35, and Jitu Kumura, 25. The injured brothers are – Bibhuti Kumura and Nandalal Bhoi.
The injured brothers were rescued by family members along with other villagers and were rushed to VIMSAR in Burla for treatment.
Locals, however, said the incident took place after some youths passed lewd remarks at Shakti’s younger sister.
The three Kumura brothers and their relative Nandalal confronted the young eve-teasers following the incident. A verbal spat between them escalated to a group clash in no time. The young men then attacked the brothers with wooden sticks and axes.
The accused allegedly kept thrashing Shakti and Aravinda even after the two collapsed on the ground.
The bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem. One of the weapons used in the attack (a wooden stick) has also been seized from the spot, the police said.
Sambalpur Superintendent of Police Kanwar Vishal Singh said the police have detained four persons in connection with the crime and have started an investigation into the incident. A manhunt has been launched to nab the suspects.
Palpable tension, however, continues to prevail in the village over the attack. Police personnel have been deployed there to avoid any untoward incident.
PNN