Tension prevailed at Kantamali in Sambalpur district on Tuesday as a large number of people blocked the Sambalpur-Bargarh main road in protest against the alleged murder of a youth by staffs of a roadside Dhaba over nonpayment of Rs50.
The youth’s body was found near a petrol pump at Kantamali. The deceased was identified as Naresh Mahananda of nearest Khambei bazar. Thogh the reason behind the death was yet to be ascertained, yet sources said Naresh and his friend had taken dinner at a roadside Dhaba nearby. While the bill amounted to Rs550, the two had a total of Rs500. They gave Rs500 and told the Dhaba staff that they would pay Rs50 later. However, Dhaba staffs made arguments with the two.
Villagers suspected that Naresh might have been killed by Dhaba people and thrown away. Demanding immediate arrest of the culprits, the villagers blocked the road for hours, disrupting vehicular movement. Even they pelted stones at police personnel who were trying to pacify them. The irate mob too burnt motorbikes.
Police resorted to lathicharge and dispersed the agitators. Three platoons of police have been deployed. The Burla PS IIC and the SDPO were monitoring the situation.