An attempted robbery in Malkangiri district escalated into a brutal assault, leaving 18-year-old Plus 3 student Khusubu Goldar critically injured.
The incident occurred near MPV-74 village under Nalagunthi Gram Panchayat, close to National Highway 326, at the residence of local teacher Ketu Goldar.
According to family sources, the assailant climbed an adjacent mango tree around 2 AM and entered the house through the roof. After unlocking the attic door, the intruder tried to loot the premises. At that moment, Khusubu, who was sleeping in the front room, woke up and confronted the burglar. In a brutal response, the attacker struck her head with a sharp weapon, believed to be a tangia (axe-like tool), intending to kill her.
Despite the assault, Khusubu displayed remarkable courage. She managed to hit the intruder with a sturdy stick and screamed for help, causing the attacker to flee. The police, led by Officer Chandrakant Tandi, arrived promptly and have initiated an investigation. CCTV footage is being reviewed to identify the suspect(s), and authorities are confident of making arrests soon.
The same group is suspected to have entered a nearby shop owned by Sanjay Biswas but failed to steal anything, according to the shopkeeper.