Sambalpur: A man’s life was lost in a violent incident centered around asking for Ganesh Puja Donation (ଚାନ୍ଦା)

Burla: On Saturday, a large-scale riot took place in Katapali village of Burla police station in Sambalpur district, centered around asking for Ganesh Puja donations. In the clash between the two factions, one youth Kshirod Thandi lost his life while Niraj Pradhan was seriously injured. 2 bikes were burnt during the clash. Katapali village has now turned into a police camp after the massacre.

Ganesh Puja is celebrated in Dhumdham every year in Katapali Uparpada and Talipada. On Friday, both groups went to offer Ganesh Pooja Chanda to cover the Lavanya near Katapali. There was tension between the two groups over some issues. In this regard, both groups fought against each other in the Burla police station. However, the case was later settled at the police station by the police. However, today again there was confusion based on yesterday’s matter. The youths of Talipada along with some youths from outside areas reached the Pooja Mandap near the Uparpada RI office at around 2 pm today. The youths of Thalipada asked why they filed a police complaint against them. Seeing that there was an outsider, the youths of Uparpada were angry. Clashes broke out between the two groups. The puja mandap had become a field near it. The youths of Uparpada beat up Kshirod Tandi of Baijamunda village, who had come with a child from Talipada. They burnt Kshirod’s bike along with another youth’s bike. On the other hand, Niraj Pradhan of Uparpada was seriously injured in the attack by the youths of Talipada. He has been admitted to Vimsar. Burla police reached the spot, recovered the body, and detained 8 youths from both groups. In view of the unrest, a large police force has been deployed in Katapali.