Paralakhemundi: A youth was killed Saturday evening in a group attack by residents of a neighbouring village over past enmity near Saradhapur cremation ground under Gurandi police limits in Gajapati district. The deceased was identified as Prasant Jena, 24, of Bhinnala village. Some youths of Saradhapur village attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and also beat up the victim mercilessly leaving him in a pool of blood. On being informed, Jena’s family members and villagers reached the spot and informed the police. Gurandi police rushed Jena to the district headquarters hospital at Paralakhemundi.
Doctors after initial treatment advised Jena’s family members to take him to a better medical facility as his condition was critical. However, he died en route to Vishakhapatnam. Police have launched an investigation after Jena’s family members complained. Paralakhemundi SDPO Madhavi Nanda Nayak also visited the spot and took stock of the situation while a forensic team was pressed into service. Villagers claimed that Jena might have been killed due to his alleged affair with a woman residing in Saradhapur village.