Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), May 21: Police in Odisha’s Bargarh Lok Sabha constituency have detained eight youths in connection with the murder of an auto-rickshaw driver who was transporting voters to a polling booth. The prime accused remains at large while investigations continue.
The Sadar police are currently questioning the detained youths and are conducting raids at various locations to apprehend others involved in the crime. Following a meeting at the Sadar police station involving the Sambalpur RDC, Additional Superintendent of Police, and other officials, a dedicated police team has been formed to capture the main suspect.
Raids are underway across different areas, with phone tapping in progress, under the direct supervision of Inspector General of Police Himanshu Lal and Bargarh SP Prahalad Sahai Meena.
The victim, auto driver Biswanath Mirdha, was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon (bhujali) while en route to the Sarsara polling booth on Monday. A confrontation ensued when his vehicle was intercepted by a group, resulting in Mirdha’s murder.
Although police assert that the incident is not linked to the elections but rather stems from a feud between two groups, locals remain skeptical, especially as the prime suspect remains at large. The murder occurred merely 400 meters from the polling booth.
