8 held for attacking 2 with sharp weapons in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Eight persons were arrested by the police on Monday in connection with the brutal sword attack on two youths at Airport Square in Bhubaneswar.

The two victims, identified as Shiva Maharana and Rakesh alias Raka, were initially attacked on Sunday night by one Pradip Singh over some dispute relating to indulging in ‘Khatti’ on his property.

Police said both Shiva and Raka have several cases pending against them. They came under attack by local youths from Kedarpali and Forest Park areas when they were returning after assaulting Singh.

Eight persons from either side have so far been arrested and two separate cases have been registered in connection with the incident, a police official said.

After attacking the two with sharp weapons, the miscreants left for Bhanjanagar in a car. However, the car was intercepted and four persons were arrested on the spot. Four others involved in the incident were later nabbed.

Further investigation in the case is underway and more arrests are likely to be made soon. Possible link of those arrested with the notorious ‘kacha baniyan’ gang is also being examined, police added.