Overview
- Police say a group chased, stabbed, and ran over 35-year-old Mrutyunjaya Bharimal in a crowded Kanas market, and a video of the attack spread widely online.
- The victim was first treated at a local hospital and was then shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition.
- Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said past enmity between rival groups is the likely motive and announced three special teams to find the attackers.
- Police have arrested four suspects identified as Dharmapada Badajena, Chandrakanta Jena, Chinmay Gajendra, and Ajay Baliarsingh.
- Opposition leaders Naveen Patnaik and Bhakta Charan Das questioned the BJP government’s grip on safety, pointing to the assault occurring about half a kilometre from a police station.