A shocking incident unfolded at Baruni Bazaar in Kalabuda under Kudanagari Police Station, where a vegetable shopkeeper, Subas Mallik, was burnt alive inside his shop late Friday night.
The blaze gutted the shop and immediately raised suspicions of foul play. According to family members, the fire was deliberately set. Mallik, a resident of Gobindapur village, had closed his shop for the night when the flames erupted. Soon after, locals discovered the shop engulfed in fire, with Mallik trapped inside and already dead.
Although investigators suspect a short circuit, family members and locals questioned the circumstances. They pointed out that the shop was locked from the outside and alleged that a flammable substance may have been used, hinting at a possible grudge behind the incident.
In protest, irate locals and family members staged a road blockade demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Traffic on the busy stretch was disrupted for hours until police and local administration intervened. Eventually, the police assured strict action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, scientific experts joined local police at the site and began a detailed investigation. Authorities confirmed that multiple angles are being examined to determine the exact cause of the fire and identify suspects.
The incident has shocked Kendrapara, highlighting concerns over rising local disputes and safety in marketplaces.
