Tension gripped the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar following the tragic death of local builder Smrutiranjan Martha, alias Rinku, who succumbed to his injuries after being brutally attacked with an iron rod.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, coming only months after the high-profile killing of a GRP constable within the same police jurisdiction.
According to police sources and the FIR filed by the victim’s wife, Mamali Martha, the tragedy stemmed from a land sale dispute between Smrutiranjan’s family and the family of prime accused Ashok Jena, which had brewed about 20 days prior.
The situation escalated dramatically on the evening of October 20 around 4:30 PM, following a minor argument between Smrutiranjan’s driver and a villager named Daitari Muduli. Smrutiranjan’s younger brother, Hritik, rushed to the spot to defuse the tension. However, Ashok Jena arrived shortly after and began verbally abusing Hritik. When Hritik objected to the behaviour, Ashok allegedly summoned his two sons, Asit and Ashish.
Smrutiranjan arrived at the scene upon learning of the altercation. What began as a verbal confrontation quickly turned fatal when Ashok and his family members launched a violent assault on the two brothers. During the attack, Smrutiranjan was repeatedly struck on the chest with an iron rod. He collapsed unconscious on the spot and was swiftly rushed to a private hospital, where he tragically passed away while undergoing treatment.
Following Smrutiranjan’s death, grief and anger spilt over into the streets. On Thursday, family members and irate villagers gheraoed the Balianta police station, demanding the immediate arrest of all culprits.
The victim’s wife, Mamali Martha, levelled serious allegations against local law enforcement, claiming gross negligence and inaction. She stated that she had formally reported the brutal assault on the exact day it occurred, but police failed to take prompt action. Mamali alleged that authorities only swung into action after her husband’s death, accusing them of actively shielding the prime accused, Ashok Jena.
Acting on the complaint, the Balianta police have registered a murder case. Authorities confirmed that one suspect, Mahesh Jena, has been successfully apprehended, while special teams have been formed to hunt down the remaining absconding accused. Investigations into the exact sequence of events and the role of each suspect are currently underway.
