In a spine-chilling incident that has sent shockwaves across Odisha, a young man was chased down, repeatedly hacked with a fish-cutting knife, brutally beaten, and then run over by a vehicle — all in broad daylight at the bustling Golabazar fish market in Kanas, Puri district.
The victim, identified as Mrutyunjay Bharimal (also known as Illu) from Dokanda village, was attacked by at least three miscreants on May 2, 2026. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene of the youth fleeing for his life before being cornered and assaulted with a “paniki” (traditional fish knife) in the middle of the crowded market square. He was then beaten mercilessly and crushed under a vehicle as the attackers fled, leaving him lying in a pool of blood. Bharimal is currently battling for his life in a hospital, with doctors describing his condition as critical.
The gruesome attack, captured in videos now circulating widely on social media, has ignited public anger and fear. Residents of Kanas and surrounding areas say they no longer feel safe stepping out, even in daylight, highlighting a growing sense of helplessness among ordinary citizens.
Political Firestorm Erupts
Former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik was quick to react, launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Patnaik wrote in Odia:
“The incident in Kanas, Puri clearly shows that anarchy has crossed all limits in Odisha. Where is the rule of law? Criminals are roaming fearlessly due to the inaction and incompetence of the BJP government. Common people are living in terror. The BJP has completely failed to provide a safe environment for the people.”
Patnaik questioned the government’s silence and demanded immediate accountability, asking how much worse the law and order situation must become before the administration wakes up. His remarks have amplified the political debate, with opposition voices accusing the ruling BJP of turning Odisha into a “playground for criminals” just two years after coming to power.
Police have initiated an investigation, but no arrests have been reported so far. The incident has once again thrust the issue of deteriorating law and order into the spotlight, with many wondering if the holy city of Puri — a major tourist and pilgrimage hub — is becoming unsafe even for its own residents.
As videos of the attack continue to go viral, the pressure is mounting on the state government to act swiftly and restore public confidence.
