Police arrested Kshitipati Behera and his son Lipan Behera in connection with the murder of Subal Padhaan in Ainathapali village under Barpali police limits on Sunday night.
Investigators said the attack followed a heated dispute between Subal and Lipan over drying paddy in front of their houses. Kshitipati joined the quarrel, and both father and son assaulted Subal with a bamboo stick. The blow to his head left him critically injured.
Family members rushed Subal to Barpali hospital and later shifted him to Bargarh for advanced treatment. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Police registered Case No. 229/26 and seized the bamboo stick used in the assault.
Officers produced the accused in court after the arrest. They confirmed that further investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances surrounding the crime.
