In a shocking ‘protest’ that no family should ever go through, an Odisha family- in an attempt to seek ‘justice’- reportedly carried the deadly body of one of its family members to the area’s police station on a bicycle. The incident unfolded in Balasore, where a woman, Kamala Sethi, lost her life in a clash over a land boundary dispute with her neighbours. The family living in the Haripur village fell into an argument over some construction work with the said neighbours, which is when the accused allegedly attacked Sethi and her family with spades and shovels.
The clash turned deadly as Sethi was killed, leaving the family grieving and angry. Reportedly, the family also blamed the police for their ‘inaction’, resulting in them carrying the dead body wrapped in a carpet– for 15 kilometres to the police station.
Reportedly, 39-year-old Kamala was not the only one who bore the consequences of the clash, as her sister-in-law, Shankuntala Sethi, also sustained critical injuries. She is currently undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
As per the family, the police have not taken any action against the ‘main attacker’, even though three days have passed since the tragedy. It was due to his inaction against the attacker that the protest erupted. A heartbreaking video showed the family marching towards the police station, along with many others. Upon reaching the police station, the family further continued the protest by placing the body on the road.
The police reportedly arranged an ambulance for the transportation of the body, but the family refused to use it and continued their protest to highlight what they described as ‘administrative failure’.
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According to the complaint filed by the family, the violence erupted during construction work at Sethi’s house– when neighbour Bharat Jena and his family allegedly objected, claiming ‘land encroachment’. The argument soon escalated into a violent clash. Bharat, along with his wife Bharati Jena, son Manas Jena, and another family member, allegedly attacked Surendra, his wife Shankuntala, daughter Tulasi, and Kamala Sethi.
Police confirmed that a case has been registered in connection with the attack. So far, Bharati Jena has been detained, while efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused persons.
Reportedly, Balasore SP Pratyush Diwakar assured that the absconding accused will be arrested soon. He also stated that the case was reported on Monday, May 11.
The disturbing incident has sparked widespread outrage and once again raised serious concerns over ‘law enforcement response’ and handling of long-pending land disputes in rural Odisha.
