Berhampur: With recovery of a
youth`s mutilated body from a bush near Kodala town today, the
death toll in the recent violence there has increased to
five.
D Prakash (20) was missing since the clash erupted between
villagers of Sachina and another group belonging to Marathi
Sahi area on the outskirts of Kodala town on July 13.
"We suspected he was murdered by the villagers after being
kidnapped," Ganjam SP Rajesh Pandit said.
As fresh tension prevailed after recovery of the body, 10
platoons of police were deployed in the sensitive areas of
Kodala town, he said.
On July 13, around 70 houses in Marathi Sahi area were
allegedly damaged when armed mob from J Sachina village set
them ablaze following which a clash took place between both
the groups in which two persons were lynched.
Two other persons were killed at Khajapalli, near Kodala,
when police opened fire on the mob, who blocked the road in
protest against the police crackdown in connection with the
clash.
At least 49 persons were arrested in connection with the
violence.
Long-standing dispute between the groups was stated to be
the cause of the clash. The state government has ordered an
administrative inquiry into the incident.
PTI
