Man Brutally Assaulted in Puri; Video Sparks Outrage, Victim Critical

Puri: A brutal assault incident in Odisha’s Puri district has triggered widespread outrage after a video of the attack surfaced online. The incident took place in the Kanas area, barely half a kilometre from the local police station.

According to reports, a 29-year-old man, identified as Mrutyunjay Bharimal of Dokanda village, was allegedly attacked by a group of five youths over past enmity. The incident occurred on Sunday morning near the Golabazar fish market.

Mrutyunjay had reportedly gone to the market around 8:30 am to buy fish when the accused attacked him with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants chased and repeatedly assaulted him in public, causing panic among traders and customers, who fled the spot. The attackers allegedly ran a scooter over him and kicked him in the face. In a further act of brutality, three of the accused reportedly arrived on a motorcycle and drove over the injured man in an attempt to kill him.

After the attackers fled, the victim lay on the road for nearly 30 minutes before police reached the scene and shifted him to a hospital. Due to the critical nature of his injuries, he was later referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where he is battling for life. He sustained severe injuries to his right hand and leg, with his leg reportedly severed near the knee.

A complaint has been filed by the victim’s brother, Soumyaranjan, at the Kanas police station, naming several individuals and alleging their involvement in the attack. The complainant also stated that the victim had received death threats a few days prior to the incident.

Police have formed a three-member team to trace and arrest the accused. Preliminary investigation suggests the attack was the result of past rivalry.