Youth Stabbed to Death During Rayagada Bali Yatra; Angry Villagers Block Road
Rayagada: A festive celebration in Odisha’s Rayagada district turned tragic after a youth was allegedly stabbed to death during the Bali Yatra festival at Sikaripai village, triggering widespread public outrage and a road blockade by local residents.
The deceased has been identified as Mahesh Kadraka, while another youth, Rohan Kadraka, sustained critical injuries in the attack and is undergoing treatment in Brahmapur.
According to reports, the incident took place during the annual Bali Yatra festivities, where an altercation reportedly escalated into a violent assault.
The attack led to the death of Mahesh and left Rohan seriously injured, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Following the incident, family members of the deceased and local residents staged a protest on the Rayagada-Kalyansinghpur main road in Budaguda under Kalyansinghpur block.
The demonstrators blocked vehicular movement and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the crime.
Protesters alleged delays in police action and called for strict punishment for the accused.
They also sought adequate compensation and government assistance for the bereaved family.
On receiving information, police and district administration officials rushed to the spot and held discussions with the agitating residents to restore normalcy.
Additional police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the area.
Police have launched an investigation into the murder and initiated raids to apprehend the accused.
The body of the deceased was sent for post-mortem examination, while efforts are underway to identify and arrest all persons involved in the incident.
The incident has cast a shadow over the Bali Yatra celebrations and raised concerns over public safety during large community gatherings.
